2As I write this I am sitting in my living room with my ...
July 2011Richland Creek80962529051251-185420-66675Protecting Arkansas’ Water EnvironmentOneDropat aTimePublication of Arkansas Water Environment AssociationInside This Issue2Table of Contents3Letter From the President5Operations Challenge: “Are YOU the BEST Operator?”7WEF Corner9WEFTEC 2011 Los Angeles12AWEA and WEF Awards21“How To Sell Germ Warfare”232011 International Year in Chemistry - IYC24Arkansas Federal Credit Union - AFCU25“Dispersible vs. Flushable”282011 Training and Testing Schedules33“Managing One Water”35Hexavalent Chromium Update37Lead Copper Rule Update38“Take Your Fever to Work and Give It Away”402010-2011 AWEA Officers and Committee Chairs41Advertisers Index“It doesn’t matter if you’re a first year or a year away from retirement, learning is important in our industry.”3810005143502As I write this I am sitting in my living room with my wife and daughters. A new year is beginning and, as I look back at 2010, I am grateful for another year. I realize that 2010 held triumphs for some and losses for others. My year was a mixture of both in my personal and professional life. I welcome 2011 with hope and anticipation that there will be more wins than losses.This year will mark the 80th year for the joint AWW & WEA conference in Hot Springs. I have been attending the conference since 1997 and have met new people, learned new things, and enjoyed an environment that is fun and professional. I have served on several committees comprised of diverse personalities and backgrounds that work together to make the conference one of the best in the nation. I look forward to the conference this year on many levels and hope to be able to place it in the “Win” column.This year I will also be attending AWW & WEA District Meetings. As a member of the Western District I will be at the meetings seeing old friends and learning new things. I have even ventured to other district’s meetings such as the Northwest District and experience the friendship and learning there. Yet more “Wins” scheduled for the year.In Fort Smith as in other cities around the State, several Water and Wastewater Operator Courses are offered through the Arkansas Environmental Training Academy. These classes allow me to maintain my training hours, serve as a refresher on some topics, and are a chance to again learn new concepts and techniques. This often comes not just from the course material but from the discussions between those who attend. Networking is nothing more than learning from those who have experienced something before you have. Mark one more “Win” for the year.The AWEA will be holding its Specialty Conference this year as well. Past topics have included laboratory procedures, activated sludge and biosolids, and sustainability for utilities. Although I’m not sure what the topic this year will be, I know it will be poignant to the work we do every day. What’s the score now?So what about you? Do you have plans on sure wins for this year? This will mark my twentieth year working in the water and wastewater field. I’m old enough to be some of my employees’ father. Yet when asked how I know so much, I laugh and reply, “Because I know how much I still have to learn.” It doesn’t matter if you’re a first year or a year away from retirement, learning is important in our industry. Whether it is analytical technique, safety procedures, paperwork, new treatment technologies, collection system rehabs, etc, constant training and learning is a sure fire way to be a winner. I hope that you will join me this year in winning through education opportunities throughout the State. Have a safe and joyful year.Letter FROM THE PRESIDENT“When asked how I know so much, I laugh and reply, “Because I know how much I still have to learn.”Lance McAvoy, AWEA President3Are YOU the BEST Operator in the State? By Mike Ross, Operations Challenge Committee MemberThat's a pretty bold question, and not an easy one to answer. You could start by looking at licensing levels, scores on tests and the type of plant you operate. Then interview co-workers and supervisors. And maybe have an oral exam in front of ADEQ. You might score pretty high. But in the end there might still be debate about what "best operator" means anyway.If we think about sports, it's easier to figure out who is best. There are teams and competitions. Baseball has the playoffs and World Series. Football has bowl games. Hockey has the Stanley Cup. So what if we could do something similar for wastewater operators? Could we have a "Best Operations Team"?In fact, we have. There is an event known as the "Operations Challenge" which takes place on both the state and national levels. Many states and operator membership organizations hold competitions in the spring and the winners go to the national competition in the fall. The first national competition was in 1988. Arkansas has had competitions nearly every year since then.The Operations Challenge consists of teams of treatment plant staff competing in five events: safety, maintenance, lab, collections, and process control. Each event has a list of tasks that must be completed and penalties for mistakes. The score is based on the time a team takes to complete the task. The team that has the best overall score wins the Operations Challenge.We intend to have an Operations Challenge at the conference in Hot Springs in April. We encourage you to think about forming a team now. It will take a few months to practice the skills for the events and develop the teamwork needed to win.Teams consist of four members who work in the wastewater field. Teams can have not only operators but also lab, maintenance or even administrative people. In fact, part of the strategy in creating a team that will win is to select team members that together have skills in all the events. A team of three maintenance people and one operator might do great on the maintenance event but stumble on the lab event, where a team of two operators, one maintenance person and one lab person might be OK on the maintenance event and good on the lab event.The rules and guidelines for the Operations Challenge will be distributed in FEBRUARY???. The events will be about the same as have been used for the past few years at the national competition. You can read those rules at the website: 4What good can this be? For an individual, it's taking on a personal challenge. How quickly can you accomplish a wastewater task, without any mistakes? There is the excitement of competition and recognition by co-workers. For the team, you will learn much more about how to work closely with others to accomplish a specific task. You'll realize how to organize based on each others' strengths and weaknesses. And how to adapt on the fly when something unexpected happens during an event. It will also likely expose you to aspects of wastewater treatment that you haven't considered before.Not to mention that the winning team from the state gets their expenses paid to go to the national competition at WEFTEC. This year it will be in Los Angeles.We will be sending out updates with details on what the events will be and what teams need to do to register for the competition. In the meantime we ask you to consider creating or joining a team. Usually teams form from a particular city or district, but that is not a limitation and teams could consist of operators from different plants or districts in the state. 59144003324225Make plans for WEFTEC 2011 Los Angeles October 15-19WEF Corner3724275561975 WEF is excited to announce the launch of a new, state-of-the-art customer database and online shopping experience. We are confident that you will find the WEF online membership and shopping environment to be improved and easy to use.6With this new online system, the member log-in instructions have changed to the following:Your username is now your email address on file.Your default password is your last name (case-sensitive).If your last name includes a space, enter that space in your password. If your last name is less than 6 characters, please attach 9's until you reach 6 characters.Once you have logged in, you can change your password via the Member Profile. We suggest, if logging in for the first time, that you change your password from your last name to something more secure. If you need assistance, please contact WEF Customer Service at csc@ or 800-666-0206 or 571-830-1545.We are excited to introduce this new system as a better way to serve our members, and are happy to assist you through this process.Sincerely,Lori Jordan, WEF Director of Membership and Customer ServiceKelsey BrownMA Services RepresentativeAssociation Leadership Centerph: 703-684-2477 toll free: 877-WEF-4MAS (877-933-4627)e-mail: kbrown@web: 72011 Young Professionals SummitApril 14, 2011The Seelbach Hilton, Louisville500 Fourth Street, Louisville, KYThe YP Summit offers a wide variety of professional development sessions built on career enhancement topics, job advancement, leadership skills and sharing of organizational YP Programs. Across North America, YP members of WEF and AWWA, and non-members are invited to attend this annual event. Online Registration opens early January 2011. For details go to memberships and click on the Young Professionals CenterQuestions? Contact:WEF Staff: Dianne Crilley dcrilley@ | 703.684.2445AWWA Staff: Nancy Sullivan nsullivan@ | 303.347.6155YP Summit Coordinator: Sam Harrison sharrison@ssr-RegistrationWEFTEC 2011Online registration will open on March 31, 2011.? Additional registration details will be posted in advance.?Sign up for an e-mail reminder of when WEFTEC 2011 registration officially opens and you will be entered for a chance to win one of three $50 Visa gift cards. You must sign up by March 20 to be entered in the drawing. Winners will be notified by March 31st.Win a $50 Visa Gift Card!Registration Information8WEFTEC 2011 84th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference Los Angeles Convention Center 1201 S. Figueroa Street Los Angeles, California 90015 October 15-19, 2011 MORE WEF NEWS!??Reviewers Needed for Basic Laboratory ProceduresThe Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) is updating its special publication Basic Laboratory Procedures for Wastewater Process Control and Permit Reporting to include current method references, up-to-date preservation methods, information on representative sampling and completing the Discharge Monitoring Report, and process control information to answer the questions of how and why to run a particular test. To ensure high-quality data, each method in the book will include appropriate quality assurance and quality control information. The publication, designed to be used in the field by wastewater treatment plant operators, will focus on applicability to wastewater operations and include practice and study questions for operator training. Operators will learn to interpret the test results to better troubleshoot process control problems. The book will include photocopy-ready procedures and bench sheets.Publication of the manual is set for January 2012. The project, being led by Sidney Innerebner, has officially launched, and the first draft will be ready for review in December. If you are interested in participating as a reviewer, would be able to work closely with WEF staff, and can dedicate the expertise and time required to ensure the development of a high-quality manual according to the publication schedule, contact Britt Sheinbaum at bsheinbaum@. ????Reviewers Needed for Safety, Health, and Security in Wastewater Systems Manual of PracticeThe Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) is updating a manual of practice (MOP) to be titled Safety, Health, and Security in Wastewater Systems (MOP 1). This manual will have updated material and current regulations for readers. Publication of the manual is set for August 2012. The project, being led by Tim Page–Bottorff, has officially launched, and the first draft will be ready for review in April. If you are interested in participating as a reviewer, would be able to work closely with WEF staff, and can dedicate the expertise and time required to ensure the development of a high-quality manual according to the publication schedule, contact Britt Sheinbaum at bsheinbaum@.????11AWEA and WEF AwardsEach year, nominations are solicited for various awards given by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the Arkansas Water Environment Association (AWEA) at the annual AWW&WEA Conference in Hot Springs. In order for a nominee to be considered for an award, he/she must be a member in good standing with AWEA. Other requirements specific to each award can be found on the separate nomination forms.Mike Thomason Wastewater Manager Award (AWEA)This award is dedicated to the memory of Mike Thomason, and is given to a wastewater utility manager who has shown excellence in community service, employee mentoring or environmental stewardship.Laboratory Analyst of the Year (AWEA)An award designed to recognize a laboratory analyst who has demonstrated outstanding performance and professionalism, and has made significant contributions to the water quality analysis profession.Pretreatment Coordinator of the Year (AWEA)Recognizes a pretreatment professional in an industry or a utility who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism and performance, and has made significant contributions to the pretreatment profession.Safety AwardRecognizes a safety program that has shown excellence or has shown great strides in improving the safety for the utility or city; there are two levels to this award.Cities with Populations >20,000Cities with Populations <20,000Safety Professional of the Year (AWEA)Recognizes a safety professional who has shown excellence in improving or increasing the awareness of safety in a utility or city.Industrial Safety Award (AWEA)Recognizes a safety program within an industrial facility that has shown excellence or has shown great strides in improving the safety of its employees.James Bailey Memorial Educator of the Year (AWEA)This award is dedicated to the memory of James Bailey, and is awarded to an Arkansan who strives to inspire fellow Arkansans with enthusiasm and the desire to protect the states’ water environment, understand environmental issues and further environmental education.Burke Award (WEF)This award is named after George W. Burke, Jr., and recognizes active effective safety programs in municipal and industrial wastewater facilities.Bedell Award (WEF)The Bedell Award was established to acknowledge extraordinary personal service to a WEF Member Association. It is named for Arthur Sidney Bedell, WEF’s second president, for his long devotion and service to the New York Sewage and Industrial Wastes Association.Hatfield Award (WEF)Named in honor of Dr. William D. Hatfield, this award is presented to operators of wastewater treatment plants for outstanding performance and professionalism.Lab Analyst Award (WEF)Recognizes individuals for outstanding performance, professionalism and contributions to the water quality analysis profession.The AWEA Awards Committee looks forward to presenting these awards to those individuals who are involved in and dedicated to the water environment profession in Arkansas. There are many individuals in the state of Arkansas deserving of these awards, and they should be recognized for their contribution, service, passion and dedication to the water environment industry. Please take a moment to think about people you know who are truly worthy of receiving an AWEA or WEF award. My hope is that we are able to bestow each award to someone at the Wastewater Awards Luncheon to be held Monday, May 2nd during the 2011 AWW&WEA Conference in Hot Springs.Nomination forms can be found in this publication or on the AWEA website at awea-. Completed nominations forms must be submitted no later than February 15, 2011, and can be sent to lellington@ or mailed to the following address.Lisa EllingtonAWEA Awards ChairPLWCP.O. Box 9Paragould, AR 72450e-mail: lellington@web: awea-12-628651168402011Mike ThomasonWastewater Manager AwardNomination FormInstructions:This form should be completed for your Nominee as a candidate for the 2011 AWEA Wastewater Manager of the Year Award. The Awards Committee of the AWEA will make their selection based on an objective determination of each nominee's qualifications. As a minimum, please complete the form in its entirety. Nominators are encouraged to provide additional sheets citing specific accomplishments, awards, community service, employee mentoring, utility management, and environmental stewardship. This award will be presented by the AWEA President at the Annual Wastewater Awards Luncheon at the 2011 AWW&WEA conference.Nominee:____________________________________________________________Job Title:_____________________________________________________________Employer:___________________________________________________________Address and Phone Number:___________________________________________Population Served :____________ Number of Service Connections:_________Nominees job description and responsibilities: (Attach additional sheets as necessary) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Number of Years in Wastewater Profession:_______Number of Years as Wastewater Manager:________.Nominee has maintained:Class IV Wastewater Treatment Operator's License for _______years.Class III Wastewater Treatment Operator's License for _______years.Class II Wastewater Treatment Operator's License for _______years.Class I Wastewater Treatment Operator's License for _______years.9.Additional Information Attached: List AttachmentsPlease submit by February 15, 2011 to:Lisa Ellington, AWEA Awards ChairParagould Light, Water & CableP.O. Box 9, Paragould, AR 72450Ph. 870-239-7795, fax 870-239-7791, email lellington@-6286526670Arkansas Water Environment Association2011 AWEA SAFETY AWARD APPLICATIONCheck the appropriate boxCITIES WITH POPULATIONS OVER 20,000CITIES WITH POPULATIONS LESS THAN 20,000INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AWARDSAFETY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEARSYSTEM AWARDS ( >20K, <20K, Industrial)Organization Name:__________________________________________________________Address:__________________________________________________________Telephone #:__________________________________________________________City Population:_____________________ # of Employee’s in Wastewater__________FOR EACH NOMINATION PLEASE ATTACH YOUR ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONSExplain how your Safety Process is transmitted to the employees at the facility. If you have a formal policy statement, please attach copy.List Safety and Health Training provided to your employees for 2010 (include dates).Tell us how you conduct employee safety meetings.Describe your Safety/Health inspections.Describe the structure of your Safety Committee/Team:Describe employee Health Programs that have been put in place at your facility (include dates) (i.e. Hepatitis B vaccinations, Pulmonary Function Testing, Fitness Programs, etc.).Describe your facilities Incident/Accident reporting procedures: (please provide a copy of your program).Do you conduct drug and/or alcohol testing? If yes what type of testing?Please tell us about your 2010 accident record (lost time cases and medical attention cases).Briefly explain why this organization should be considered for the 2011 Safety Award.SAFETY PROFESSIONAL (Nomination for Safety Professional of the Year)Name of Nominee:_____________________________________________________Organization:_____________________________________________________Address:_____________________________________________________Telephone:______________________Email:__________________________Please attach a brief description why this person should be considered for the Safety Professional of the Year Award. Please attach any supporting documentation.Submit Applications To:AWEA AWARDS COMMITTEELisa Ellington, ChairParagould Light, Water & CableP.O. Box 9Paragould, AR 72450Fax 870-239-7795Email – HYPERLINK "mailto:lellington@" lellington@By February 15, 2011SIGNED: __________________________________ TITLE: __________________________________DATE: __________________________________ PHONE #: __________________________________4966335116840Nomination Form for the2011 AWEA Pretreatment Professional AwardThe nominations for this award are solicited every two years. Qualified nominee must:Be employed in industrial, municipal, or related pretreatment programsBe experienced and practicing pretreatment personnel such as field inspectors, supervisors, coordinators, administrators, etc., having direct pretreatment responsibilitiesBe a member of the AWEA in good standingHave demonstrated outstanding professionalism and performance, and have made significant contributions to the water quality analysis professionIndividuals can be nominated by anyone or be self-nominated. Please provide as much information on the person that you are nominating as possible. You may attach copies of additional information as desired. Letters of recommendation for this award will be accepted. This award will be presented at the AWEA Wastewater Awards Luncheon at the 2011 Annual AWW&WEA Conference and Short School in Hot Springs.Nominee:_____________ FILLIN \* MERGEFORMAT COMMENTS \* FirstCap \* MERGEFORMAT _______________________________________ Title:____________________________________________________Employer: ____________________________________________________Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________Telephone: _______________________________ Email: ___________________________List the reasons for nominating this individual for the AWEA Pretreatment Coordinator Award:Years of service, contribution made to the field, and other relevant information:List WEF and AWEA membership status including years of membership, offices and committees held, activities, and related:Contact Name:__________________________________ Facility:____________________________Telephone: _______________________________ Email:_________________________________Return the nomination form and attachments by February 15, 2011 to:Lisa Ellington, AWEA Awards Committee ChairParagould Light, Water & CableP.O. Box 9Paragould, AR 72450Office: 870-239-7795 Fax: 870-239-77913 Email: lellington@4852035116840Nomination Form for the2011 AWEA Laboratory Analyst AwardThe nominations for this award are solicited every two years. Qualified nominee must:Be employed in educational, industrial, commercial, or municipal laboratories which perform waste-water related analyses sBe experienced and practicing laboratory personnel and have direct analytical responsibilitiesBe a member of the AWEA in good standingHave demonstrated outstanding professionalism and performance, and have made significant contributions to the water quality analysis professionIndividuals can be nominated by anyone or be self-nominated. Please provide as much information on the person that you are nominating as possible. You may attach copies of additional information as desired. Letters of recommendation for this award will be accepted. This award will be presented at the AWEA Wastewater Awards Luncheon at the 2011 Annual AWW&WEA Conference and Short School in Hot Springs.Nominee: FILLIN \* MERGEFORMAT COMMENTS \* FirstCap \* MERGEFORMAT _______________________________________ Title:_____________________________Employer: ____________________________________________________Address:________________________________________________________________________________________________________Telephone: _______________________________ Email:_________________________________1.List the reasons for nominating this individual for the AWEA Laboratory Analyst Award:2.Years of service, contribution made to the field, and other relevant information:3.List WEF and AWEA membership status including years of membership, offices and committees held, activities, and related:Contact Name:__________________________________ Facility:____________________________Telephone: _______________________________ Email:_________________________________Return the nomination form and attachments by February 15, 2011 to:Lisa Ellington, AWEA Awards Committee ChairParagould Light, Water & CableP.O. Box 9Paragould, AR 72450Office: 870-239-7795 Fax: 870-239-77913 Email: lellington@-2914652540James Bailey MemorialEducator of the Year AwardThis Award is established by the Arkansas Water Environment Association, in memory of James Bailey for recognition of his many years of devoted service to the People of the State of Arkansas, Water Environment Federation, Arkansas Water Environment Association and the Arkansas Environmental Academy. James Bailey’s professionalism and passion for the protection of the Natural State and the advancement of environmental education in the State of Arkansas set the standard for all other educators in the state.This honor is awarded to an Arkansan who strives to inspire fellow Arkansans, young and old, with an enthusiasm and desire to protect the state’s water environment, understand environmental issues and further environmental education.Criteria:Teaches in an accredited Arkansas high school, two or four year college or university.and/orAccepts a leadership role guiding students and adults in water environment activities.and/orConducts public outreach activities with Arkansas’ people and leaders to further understanding of the state’s water environment and environmental issues.Nominee:____________________________________Submitted by: ____________________________________Please submit a brief resume describing the candidate’s qualifications and activities, including all essential contact information by February 15, 2011 and send to:Lisa Ellington, AWEA Awards Committee ChairParagould Light, Water & CableP. O. Box 9Paragould, AR 72450E-mail lellington@Phone 870-239-7795Fax 870-239-7791Water Environment Federation AwardsBedell Award: The Bedell Award was established to acknowledge extraordinary personal service to a WEF Member Association. The award is named for Arthur Sidney Bedell, WEF's second president for his long devotion and service to the New York Sewage and Industrial Wastes Association, now the New York Water Environment Association. He was Chief of the Bureau of Sewage and Waste Disposal of the New York State Department of Health. Minimum Criteria:(1)Member of the Water Environment Federation.(2)Nominee should show organizational leadership, administrative service, membership activity, stimulation of technical functions, or similar participation.Burke Award: Recognizes a municipal or industrial wastewater facility for establishing and maintaining an active and effective safety program. This award was established in 1982 in honor of George W. Burke, Jr., for his many years of service to both the water environment field and WEF as staff manager of technical services. Mr. Burke was instrumental in developing WEF's annual safety survey and assisting in the production of several safety training aids and promotional packets. The purpose of this award is to encourage an active and effective safety program in municipal and industrial wastewater facilities. Minimum criteria:(1)The documented and illustrated safety program and safety record of the facility for the preceding calendar year are the primary criteria for the award. Hatfield Award: The Hatfield Award is presented to operators of wastewater treatment plants for outstanding performance and professionalism. The award was established in honor of Dr. William D. Hatfield, Superintendent of the Decatur, Illinois Sanitary District, who was President of the Central States Sewage Works Association in 1944-45 and served as President of the Federation in 1958-59. The award consists of a plaque suitably inscribed with the recipient's name and is presented by a Federation representative at the Member Association annual meeting. Minimum criteria:(1)Member of the Water Environment Federation. (2)Documentation of a successful system of reports from the operator to his or her superiors that fulfill the information requirements and provide the operator with a forum for suggestions for improvements. (3)Use of a good public relations program.(4)The nominee should have contributed to the dissemination of information concerning advancements in the field.Laboratory Analyst Award: Recognizes individuals for outstanding performance, professionalism and contributions to the water quality analysis profession. The award is presented by a WEF representative at the WEF Member Association annual meeting. Minimum criteria:(1)Member of the Water Environment Federation. (2)Candidate must be employed at an educational facility laboratory, industrial, commercial, or municipal laboratory which performs wastewater-related analysis, and must have direct analytical responsibilities. (3)Candidates are eligible for this award only once.PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAMES EXACTLY AS THEY SHOULD APPEAR ON THE AWARDBedell Nominee (Individual WEF Member): ________________________________________________________ Burke Nominee (Municipal or Industrial Facility):_____________________________________________________ Hatfield Nominee (Individual WEF Member):_______________________________________________________ Laboratory Analyst Nominee (Individual WEF Member):_______________________________________________ Submitted by:_________________________Phone: __________________Email:__________________________Please submit by February 15, 2011 to:Lisa Ellington, AWEA Awards Committee ChairP.O. Box 9, Paragould, AR 7245018lellington@How To Sell Germ WarfareArticle reprint submitted by Richard Kyzer Can hand sanitizers like Purell really stop people from getting the flu?By Darshak Sanghavi Posted Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010, at 2:00 PM ETOur homes and workplaces, we're told, are trying to kill us.Recently, a University of Arizona microbiologist named Charles Gerba, author of hundreds of scientific papers about household microbes, gave a terrifying lecture at the offices of the Food and Drug Administration. Gerba—who, incidentally, has a child with the middle name Escherichia—that's what the "E" in E. coli stands for—explained that a kitchen sponge and sink are home to thousands of times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Plus, 10 percent of household dishrags contain salmonella. After playing with other children, toddlers have more fecal bacteria on their hands than does a person exiting a public toilet stall. Those toilets, by the way, aerosolize so many droplets with each flush that Gerba compares their dispersion to "the Fourth of July." And every public swimming pool he's ever tested has contained disease-causing viruses. In response to these kinds of data, more than 700 products promise to help consumers kill bacteria, molds, and viruses in their homes and workplaces, from ultraviolet lights meant to kill toothbrush bacteria, to dishwashers that superheat silverware, to specially treated doormats. Three-quarters of all Americans use six or more antimicrobial products each day.Even before the H1N1 outbreak, alcohol-based sanitizers like Purell enjoyed 53 percent annual sales growth, and Americans spent $117 million per year on them. With the advent of the H1N1 influenza pandemic last year, national germ-phobia kicked into even higher gear. The Centers for Disease Control's flu information Web site recommends regularly disinfecting kitchen counters, bedroom furniture, toys, and any other "surfaces." (In marketing terms, consumers were asked to increase their daily number of "wiping events.") Public-health authorities advised exhaustive, frequent hand-washing with hand sanitizers to fight flu. Soap and sanitizer manufacturers targeted massive ad campaigns to encourage more frequent hand-washing. Such products, their makers promise, can help families stay safe from the filth around them. Purell's slogan wistfully calls upon us germ-phobes, presumably paralyzed by fear, to "imagine a touchable world." Yet the data tell a less compelling story about sanitizers like Purell. In 2005, Boston-based doctors published the very first clinical trial of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in homes and enrolled about 300 families with young children in day care. For five months, half the families got free hand sanitizer and a "vigorous hand-hygiene" curriculum. But the spread of respiratory infections in homes didn't budge, a result that "somewhat surprised" 21the researchers. A Columbia University study also found no reduction in common infections among inner-city families given free antibacterial hand soap, detergent, and cleaning supplies. The same year, University of Michigan epidemiologist Allison Aiello summarized data on hand hygiene for the FDA and pointed out that three out of four studies showed that alcohol-based hand sanitizers didn't prevent respiratory infections. Then, in 2008, the Boston group repeated the study—this time in elementary schools—and threw in free Clorox disinfecting wipes for classrooms. Again, the rate of respiratory infections remained unchanged, though the rate of gastrointestinal infections, which are less common than respiratory infections, did fall slightly. Finally, last October, a report ordered by the Public Health Agency of Canada concluded that there is no good evidence that vigorous hand hygiene practices prevent flu transmission.Why, then, do so many people think widespread use of hand sanitizers like Purell are the cornerstone of flu prevention? To be sure, hand-washing can save lives in medical settings. In 1847, Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis discovered that washing one's hands with chlorine between deliveries practically eliminated fatal infections among laboring women. (His colleagues ignored him and later committed him to a mental hospital, where he was beaten to death by guards.) Today, numerous modern studies show that in randomized trials, meticulous hand-washing, when coupled with other infection control measures like surgical draping and universal gloving, reduce the rate of life-threatening infections during surgery and intensive care unit stays.But in hospitals, outside of these clinical trials, just half of doctors and nurses regularly clean their hands before patient care, despite widespread publicity. More worrisome: In hospitals where massive educational efforts have increased hand-washing rates from 40 percent up to 70 percent, there has been no overall reduction in infection rates. Even in highly regulated places like hospitals, the promising benefits of hand-washing remain largely unrealized. Now, that doesn't mean we should give up on hospitals. But we need to be realistic about what Purell can do to fight flu in the home and in public. To begin, the influenza virus mostly spreads via tiny droplets in the air (for example, from sneezes)—not by dirty hands or surfaces—which limits the role of Purell. It probably wouldn't matter even if flu transferred though hand contact, which is how most cold viruses spread. Though Purell kills them in the lab, hand sanitizers don't stop their spread in the real world. The average child touches his or her mouth and nose every three minutes, and both adults and children come in contact with as many as 30 different objects every minute. Even hospitals can't get staff to use Purell before seeing patients; it's impossible for day care staff, parents, or teachers to wash a child's hands 20 times each hour.Purveyors of antimicrobial products are happy to indulge our worries about germs surrounding us. During the H1N1 pandemic, public-health agencies encouraged their marketing pitches despite evidence the products do little to help. It's likely that hand-sanitizer users falsely believed they were protected from flu and thus deferred vaccination, which is by far the more effective way to prevent its spread. According to the Centers for Disease Control, only one in five Americans was vaccinated by early 2010—and just one in four health care workers and high-risk patients got the shot. So you can believe all the germ hype and end up like the obsessive-compulsive billionaire Howard Hughes. Or you can follow the data and get a flu shot, wash your hands sensibly after using the bathroom and around meals, and stop wasting money on hand sanitizers.2011 is the International Year of Chemistry“Chemistry – Our Life, Our Future”Feature submitted by Jane Hurley, Public Education and Outreach ChairThe International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC?2011) is a worldwide celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind. Under the unifying theme “Chemistry—our life, our future,”?IYC?2011 will offer a range of interactive, entertaining, and educational activities for all ages. The Year of Chemistry is intended to reach across the globe, with opportunities for public participation at the local, regional, and national level.The goals of IYC 2011 are to increase the public appreciation of chemistry in meeting world needs, to encourage interest in chemistry among young people, and to generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry. The year 2011 will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize awarded to Madame Marie Curie—an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women to science. The year will also be the 100th anniversary of the founding of the International Association of Chemical Societies, providing a chance to highlight the benefits of international scientific collaboration.IYC?2011 events will emphasize that chemistry is a creative science essential for sustainability and improvements to our way of life. Activities, such as lectures, exhibits, and hands-on experiments, will explore how chemical research is critical for solving our most vexing global problems involving food, water, health, energy, and transportation.Chemistry is directly responsible for over 4800 jobs in Arkansas, and indirectly responsible for another 13,000+ more. That’s not to mention those of us who use our knowledge of chemistry at our utilities.Take advantage of this year-long focus on chemistry to sponsor a classroom of budding scientists, have a scouting group to your facility to talk about water issues, or offer to speak to a home-school association. Could your AWW&WEA District, utility or company sponsor a classroom or an environmental education program at a local school? Check out these websites and find inspiration for how you can participate: Navigate to the Learning Center for ideas23 The International Year of Chemistry web page14001751028700Did you know?…that AWEA members are eligible to join Arkansas Federal Credit Union? AFCU has 13 branch locations, including a new location on Main Street in Searcy. AFCU locations:Fort SmithLittle RockCabotNorth Little RockBryant UALRHot Springs Camp RobinsonJacksonvilleLRAFBConwaySearcyFor information on membership, log on to or contact Celia Thompson at CThompson@ or (501) 533-2254.-3810003793490AFCU’s eNotices give you the ability to receive account notifications and more in a convenient and simple way! In first quarter 2011, you will be able to view your tax forms, certificate maturity notices, overdraft notifications, past due payments, and privilege pay notices through eNotices, located inside Online Account Access. You can even choose to receive instant notifications by text or e-mail! AFCU eNotices give you immediate access to the information you need, right at your fingertips! This is just another way Arkansas Federal Credit Union continues to improve each member’s financial life.To take advantage of eNotices, log onto Online Account Access at .Article reprint submitted byDonna McChristian, Newsletter EditorDispersible vs. Flushable - What Public Works Professionals Need to KnowBy Patrick McNelly – Principal Staff Analyst, Orange County Sanitation DistrictandNicholas J. Arhontes, Director or Operations and Maintenance, Orange County Sanitation DistrictMany public wastewater agencies throughout the State of California are experiencing significant maintenance costs associated with the accumulation of nondispersible and other post-consumer products that are routinely flushed down the toilet. Some obvious examples we see every day are cotton balls, Q-tips, condoms, feminine hygiene products, cloth bandages, rags, plastic items, disposable diapers and dental floss.Of more recent concern are so-called baby wipes and pop-up sanitizing cloths that do not disperse or break-up in water like toilet paper. The main problem with these nondispersible products is that they can become lodged in the impellers of sewage pumps and other process equipment causing the pumps to stop suddenly and sewage to back up. For many agencies (particularly small to mid-size and those with several smaller pump stations) removing these “rags” from pump station pumps and bar screens has become a costly additional maintenance routine. In gravity sewers, these woven-fiber cloth products and other similar items can get caught on tree roots inside the pipes which can lead to backups and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). These SSOs consume valuable agency resources, violate the statewide Wastewater Discharge Requirements (WDR) order, and can result in significant fines being levied against the agency by the regional water quality control board. Flushability and DispersibilityBecause of convenience and advertising claims that these products are “flushable,” the consumer feels confident in disposing a wide range of products down the toilet. These products are “flushable” only in the sense that they can usually be flushed without causing the toilet to back up. The real test of anything besides human body waste being flushed is whether it disperses or breaks up when it gets into the sewer. If it doesn’t disperse, it doesn’t belong in the sewer. Truly flushable products, such as toilet paper, are manufactured so that the paper material breaks down when wet, causing them to be classified as dispersible products, and safe for sewers. While there are several Uniform Plumbing Code restrictions and regulations that specifically prohibit the type of materials that can be disposed of into sewer systems, there are currently no restrictions on these nondispersible products. For example, a recent television ad by the Kohler Corporation features a man who notices a very attractive female plumber working next door as he is walking into his home. When he goes inside, he tries to clog up his toilet (hoping that he can hire her to unclog it!) by flushing assorted items including facecloths, candles, underwear, flowers and toiletries. The man finally resorts to pouring a large bag of dog food into the toilet. While he is pouring the food into the toilet bowl, the man looks up to see his wife staring at him sternly. The ad shows that you can flush almost anything that will get through the Kohler toilet but completely ignores what happens after these “flushable” items get into the sewer.Tree roots in private laterals can also cause clogs, and in many cases when a plumber clears the obstruction from the lateral, the debris is pushed farther down the line until it reaches the public sewer main. At this point the offending debris becomes the sewer agency’s problem.What’s the Problem?Ultimately, we as an industry need to specifically identify what products are causing the ragging problem and to identify those products that are labeled or advertised as being “flushable” but are causing the problems. Some of this research has already been done by the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), but more is needed. To determine the extent of the problem of nondispersible products in the sewer, a survey questionnaire was developed in 2009 by the Southern California Alliance for POTWs (SCAP). SCAP sent the survey to public sewer agencies throughout California requesting documentation of maintenance problems associated with disposing nondispersible products in the sewer system. Agencies were also asked to provide any cost information that they may have been associated with addressing the pump ragging and deragging problem. The results are being tabulated.The FutureHere are some possible courses of action agencies might take to mitigate or minimize the problem:Agencies and associations can send letters to product manufacturers explaining the problem and requesting that they conduct more aggressive advertising campaigns that emphasize proper disposal options.Development of a public outreach program for educating your customers about what items they should not flush down the toilet. Writing articles, editorials or essays on blogs, for news papers or public service announcements.Dialogue with state legislators leading to possible new disposal standards for these products.Depending on the level of staffing and funding available, SCAP has proposed that the investigation and documentation be a combined effort among several professional organizations and public agencies. Funding for such research has not been secured thus far, however possible sources of funding could include:Federal/state grantsNational research institutes and policy think tanksFederal and state wastewater organizations and networking groupsReserve Ad Space in the Next Digester!Local and regional wastewater agenciesProduct manufacturers/associations2838450801052500255Environmental groups27Arkansas Environmental Training AcademyJanuary - May 2011 Water Training Schedule2011 WATER Training ScheduleDateCourseLocationInstructorRegister online at sautech.edu28Internet classes also available!Arkansas Environmental Training AcademyJanuary - December 2011 Wastewater Training Schedule2011 WASTEWATER Training ScheduleDateCourseLocationInstructorAugust 2-3AETA Train-the-TrainerCamdenAETA StaffAugust 15-18Class II WastewaterCamdenRichardsonAugust 29-September 1Class II WastewaterHot SpringsRichardsonSeptember 13-14Basic Industrial WastewaterCamdenRichardsonSeptember 26-29Class II WastewaterFayettevilleWinnOctober 4-5Utility Management CourseCamdenRichardsonOctober 18-20Advanced Activated Sludge Process Control (night class)Fort SmithEasleyNovember 8-10Advanced Industrial WastewaterCamdenRichardsonNovember 2-3Basic Industrial WastewaterHot SpringsRichardsonDecember 5-9Class III WastewaterCamdenRichardsonRegister online at sautech.edu28Internet classes also available!Arkansas Rural Water AssociationJanuary - December 2011Wastewater Training and Testing Schedule2011 Wastewater Training and Testing ScheduleDateCourseLocationOrganizationAugust 3Class IV ReviewNorth Little RockADEQAugust 17WW Short SchoolHeber SpringsARWAAugust 9-10Advanced WastewaterLonokeARWASeptember 7Class IV TestNorth Little RockADEQSeptember 7Wastewater MathLonokeARWASeptember 19-21Class I WastewaterHot SpringsARWAOctober 10-13Class IILonokeARWAOctober 26WW Short SchoolClarksvilleARWADecember 5-9Class III WastewaterLonokeARWAInternet classes available atAETA sautech.edu and ARWA 2686050792480000Remember to bring your ID card to scan during training and meetings! Make your mark!Reserve ad space in the next Digester!771525734377532Update your calendar!WEFTEC 2011 Oct 15-191905000556260032342010-2011 Officers & Committee ChairsPositionNameCompanyEmailPast-PresidentLouise HoganLittle Rock Wastewaterlouise.hogan@PresidentLance McAvoyFort Smith UtilityLMcAvoy@Vice-PresidentDuyen TranCH2M HILLduyen.tran@Secretary/TreasurerLetitia RuschArkansas Environmental Training Academylrusch@sautech.eduCommittee ChairsNominating CommitteeLisa EllingtonCity Light and Waterlellington@Scholarship CommitteeLisa EllingtonCity Light and Waterlellington@Awards CommitteeLisa EllingtonCity Light and Waterlellington@NewsletterDonna McChristianCH2M HILLdonna.mcchristian@Government Affairs CommitteeJessica KeaheyMcGoodwin, Williams, & Yatesjkeahey@Education/Public Outreach CommitteeJane HurleyADEQhurleyj@adeq.state.ar.usOps ChallengeGary GuilloryCommunity Resource Groupgary.guillory@Industrial CommitteeStan MillerLittle Rock Wastewaterstan.miller@Lab/Pretreatment CommitteeLance McAvoyFort Smith UtilityLMcAvoy@Lab/Pretreatment CommitteeRandy EasleyFort Smith UtilityReasley@Safety CommitteeRichard KyzerLittle Rock Wastewaterrichard.kyzer@Technical CommitteeLouise HoganLittle Rock Wastewaterlouise.hogan@Collection Systems CommitteeThea HughesJacksonville Wastewaterthea@Membership CommitteeLarry YanceyHawkins-Weir Engineers, Inclarry.yancey@hawkins-Young Professional CommitteeTiffany MallardFort Smith UtilityThays@3526860506819900Remember to bring your ID card to scan during training and meetings!24955506324600Advertisers Index43637Newsletter EditorDonna McChristianCH2M HILLFayetteville, ARE-mail:donna.mcchristian@Visit our Website at awea_AWEA OfficersLisa Ellington, Past PresidentLance McAvoy, PresidentDuyen Tran, Vice PresidentLetitia Rusch, Secretary-TreasurerDuyen Tran, WEF Delegate38862001209675 ................
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