The Northwest Environmental Training Center is presenting the National 2009 Water Quality Conference to be held on May 20 - 22, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. This exciting and informative meeting will address the issues and discuss the technology of the quality and supply of the world's most valuable resource - water. This conference will intertwine four tracks through many workshop sessions in this three-day conference. This event is not one to miss!

Session 9 - 8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.

Michael Overbay - EPA-Region 6

The Future of Ground Water in EPA Region 6, and How the Regional Ground Water Center Can Help

This presentation will discuss the challenges facing our ground water resources in the EPA's 5 state region, including population increase, agricultural impacts, climate change, and water mining. The presentation will also offer examples of how the EPA Regional Ground Water Center staff can assist interested partners in ways to address their problems, such as aquifer recharge project planning and technical assistance.

Session 10A - 10:00 A.M. - 10:45 AM.,

Robert Mc Gregor - AMEC Earth & Environmental

Benefical Use of Stormwater Runoff as a Resource Rather Than a Nuisance for Disposal

The Cherry Creek watershed is located in a rapidly urbanizing portion of the Denver metropolitan region. Cherry Creek Reservoir, an important urban amenity with a capitalized recreation value in the range of $1 to $3 Billion, is located within the watershed. Urban stormwater runoff is the greatest source of pollutants for the reservoir and traditional stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) are not sufficient to meet the reservoir water quality standards. In response to this challenge, the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority has implemented an aggressive watershed-based program for the management of urban stormwater nutrients. A key component of this strategy is an incentive-based, rather than a regulatory-based stormwater management program.

The incentive-based program recognizes that urban stormwater can be managed as an asset to create green space, parks, wetlands, wildlife habitat and urban recreation opportunities rather than being managed as a nuisance for disposal. This approach produces visible benefits for the community and is more sustainable because it creates value for the land owner and is voluntarily implemented and maintained rather than in response to regulatory mandates.

Three case studies are presented for developments totaling more than 3,000 acres. Two of the three have been constructed and the third is under construction. All three can serve as illustrative examples for the application of similar methods in other regions.

Debra Cerda - TCEQ

Nitrification in Chlorinating Systems in Texas

This presentaion will cover an overview of factors causing nitrification, experiences that Texas Public Water Systems have had with nitrification, and strategies to prevent and respond to nitrification.

Session 10B - 11:00 A.M. - 11:45 AM., (Room)

Jane Piper - Piper Environmental Group, Inc.

Remediating Contamination with Ozone"

(1.) What is Ozone ?
(2.) Ozone History
(3.) How is Ozone Made ?
(4.) How Can Ozone be Used for Water, Air and Soil/GW Treatment ?
(5.) Ozone Processes and Equipment
(6.) Mobile Ozone Trailer Systems
A. Rage of Sizes
B. Benefits
C. Cost Savings
(7.) Large Capacity Ozone Systems for Water and Remediation Purposes
A. Purposes
B. Benefits
C. MGP Site Remediation
(8.) Field Applications & Case Histories

Ed Cahill - EMSL

Asbestos Analysis in Ground and Surface Water by Transmission Electron Microscopy
Evolution of Methodology

Unconsolidated fibers means TEM is the way to go. Individual fibrils, especially Chrysotile asbestos are well below the limit of resolution of light microscopy.
- EPA 100.1 method yields to EPA 100.2 method. 100.1 method was published in 1984. The 100.2 method published in 1994 has slowly become the de facto standard.
- 100.2 designed to demonstrate compliance with SDWA limit of 7 MFL Long fibers. Though the most common application of the 100.2 method is for looking at only fibers >10 microns long in drinking water, it can be used to look for fibers of all sizes and in all types of water.
- 100.2: The long and the Short of It?. As we will see by putting the 10 micron ?blinders? on we are failing to document a significant portion of the asbestos population.

EPA 100.2 for Surface Waters with Naturally Occurring Asbestos

-Ozone Generator can work wonders for removal of biological material
-Findings
-Aspect Ratio Distribution
-Size Distribution

Juan Gomez - CH2M HILL

Organic Contaminants in Water

Advances in technology have made possible the identification of numerous compounds (EDCs, PPCPs, herbicides and pesticides and DBPs), which may exhibit adverse health effects to human life. This presentation will address some of the issues related to these compounds and try to clarify some common misunderstandings related to their potential toxic effects. A project example will also be provided to demonstrate implementation of available technologies to deal with these so called "contaminants."

Session 11B - 2:15 P.M. - 2:45 P.M., (Concurrent Session - Room)

Ginger Paige - University of Wyoming

Guidance Document for Monitoring Water Quality Associated with Best Management Practices for Stream Systems

A large variety of Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been developed and implemented to address water quality impairments. The effectiveness of many of these BMPs in reducing pollutants is not well known. Monitoring and modeling approaches are often used to assess BMP effectiveness. However, these approaches are often not implemented to specifically address the water quality issue or BMP being assessed. The most common mistake in developing a monitoring program is failure to carefully consider the project objectives, failure to understand the dynamics and transport processes of the pollutant of concern in your particular watershed, and failure to consider alternate methods for demonstrating impact. We have developed a guidance dcoument to assist watershed managers identify an appropriate and effective monitoring strategy that will meet specific project objectives. The guide is primarily directed at monitoring programs that are implementing BMPs to address known impairments or assess water quality concerns. Specifically, this guide will help design and implement monitoring and modeling programs that demonstrate the effectiveness of TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) implementation projects. These projects may range from site specific installations, such as a manure bunker, to large scale efforts such as improved grazing management over thousands of acres of rangeland. An overview of the guide is presented along with an example application.

Juan Gomez - CH2M HILL

Inorganic Contaminants in Water (emphasis on TDS and As)

Water resources throughout the nation and the world in general are dwindling. Municipalities are having to expand their water portfolios to include untapped sources that may contain elevated levels of contaminants including arsenic and total dissolved solids (Cl, SO4, Ca, Mg, K, Na and others). This presentation will cover general principles related to available water treatment technologies for removal of arsenic and TDS as well as address their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, implementation of a city wide program to comply with the arsenic issues in the City of El Paso will also be discussed.

Dr. David K. Harkins and Kendra Riebschleager, M.S., EIT - Espey Consultants, Inc.

Water Quality Modeling for the Lake Granbury Watershed Protection Plan

Espey Consultants, Inc. was contracted by the Brazos River Authority to perform bacteria modeling studies for the Lake Granbury Watershed Protection Plan. Efforts focused on identifying the problem, selecting the appropriate watershed and lake models, model development and application. EC estimated potential loads using the SELECT application and performed scenario analysis considering circulation patterns within the coves to determine the most likely sources of bacteria in different areas surrounding Lake Granbury. The model results will be utilized to select different best management practices to reduce bacteria levels in Lake Granbury canals.

Session 12A - 3:45 P.M. - 4:15 P.M., (Concurrent Session - Room)

Mark Mathis - Texas Water Development Board

TWDB’S Water Audit Continuing Education Program
To Further Assist Utilities on Water Loss Accountability

In 2006, after receiving and reviewing water loss data from over 2400 utilities, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) began to assist utilities by developing a water loss continuing education program. The TWDB wanted to ensure that for the next reporting date in 2011, utility staff would have been keeping records and would have a thorough understanding of the type of data needed to complete the report. Therefore, we developed and implemented the following educational tools.

First, was the revision of the Water Loss Manual, using current AWWA methodology. This manual went through extensive review from members on the Water Loss Control Committee before it was finally published. The TWDB then added an online version of the water loss worksheet designed with the utility in mind; therefore, they are able to fill out the worksheet, save and print and then also come back in six months or a year and enter new data and see the differences in their water loss standing. The TWDB also created a webpage under Conservation that was dedicated to discussing the methodology in brief detail, as well as links to these other services. Along with our water loss workshops, TWDB staff are available to consult with utility staff to discuss their submitted water audit and programs that could be implemented to increase their water loss accountability. The TWDB offers this consultation for an hour or all day, which ever the utility needs us for. We also designed a program that assesses their submitted water audit data and depending on the volume of the balancing adjustment, they may be contacted by our staff.

The TWDB offers leak detection equipment and ultra-sonic flow meters for loan at no charge to the utility. Utilities may also obtain up to 500 water conservation brochures per year for free; amounts over 500 are available for an additional fee.

Suzanna Perea - EPA-Region 6

Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure

Introduction to green infrastructure; description of EPA's
program and support for green infrastructure; use of green
infrastructure in wet weather management

Topics

1. Consequences of Development to Urban Streams
2. Approaches to Flow Management
3. Federal Regulatory Context for Green Infrastructure
4. Common Elements of a Wet Weather Management Plan

Olabisialamu- National Center for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology

Unsustainable Private Sector provision of Potable water in Nigeria; Need for Water Pricing

Nigeria has a GNP of US$36 billion (41 per cent of West Africa's GNP). With substantial human and natural resource endowments,Nigeria has the potential to be the engine for economic growth in the sub-region.The population of Nigeria is an estimated 140 million people with a projected average annual growth rate of about 3.0 per cent (1995 ? 2000).
Water is a natural resources which is essential is to life,human welfare and public health.However,with rapid urban growth and increased contamination of water sources,complex systems are needed to abstract,treat,store,and distribute water.

Water Supply: Water supply system in Nigeria is characterized by a lot of institutional problems .The nation is the most populous African country is characterized by low GDP,high public debt and rapid urbanization.Lack of financial resources hinders the development of urban infrastructure needed to cope with population growth.Inefficient operation of state owned water companies and political interference in tariff- setting have limited the capacity of utilities companies to expand water services to urban and low income areas.As a result,more than 48million urban dwellers in the country have no access to clean water, and over 50 million people have no access to sanitation services.

Problems: Major problem identified is the monopoly status of government in the provision of water.In order to fill the gap many private sector operator engage in provision of water which is inadequate and causing more damage to the citizens and economy through unscientific and morally bankrupt operations.The private sector provision of potable water in Nigeria are in four modes ; vendors(with tankers),individual(using boreholes ),companies(unlicensed and licensed selling 50cl nylon sachets water and companies selling bottle water.These producers are not properly monitored by the state regulatory authority,National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control( NAFDAC)thus constituting a threat to sustainable development through environmental degradation and health hazards.

Session 12B - 4:30 P.M. - 5:00 P.M., (Concurrent Session - Room)

Edwin Debiew - EPA

Roles and Responsibilities of the EPA Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations

History of the EPA/OIG

Major duties and responsibilities

Fraudulent Indicators and examples

Case Studies of Investigations worked

Roadmap ahead with the disbursement of the American Recovery Reinvesment Act stimulus funds relating to EPA grantees, including EPA/OIG outreach, education and investigations