A newsletter dedicated to Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention www.abpa-sa.org

June Vol. 24 Issue 6

Cocaine Compound Found In U.K. Drinking Water By Sara Jerome@sarmje with Water Online

Britain is still partying like it's the '80s, and one potential consequence is that cocaine may be seeping into the nation's tap water.

"In a study to assess the dangers from pharmaceutical compounds appearing in the water we drink, scientists discovered traces of [a cocaine-related compound] after it had gone through intensive purification treatments," the Independent reported this month.

The study, conducted by the government organization Drinking Water Inspector, screened for benzoylecgonine, the metabolized form of cocaine, at four locations, the Washington Post reported.

"The compound, which urine-based drug tests screen for, wasn’t at a high enough level to affect someone who drank the water, and researchers weren’t sure what caused its appearance," the report said.

Officials indicated that the discovery of this compound in drinking water may not be the result of cocaine use. Benzoylecgonine "is also an ingredient in a popular muscle rub, and there's no way of telling which it came from," according to Sue Pennison of DWI, cited by the Guardian. Other drugs have been found in the U.K.'s drinking water, as well.

"In a report last year, Public Health England said traces of six pharmaceutical compounds had been found in drinking water: benzoylecgonine, the painkillers ibuprofen and naproxen; carbamazapine, used in treating epilepsy, and its metabolized form carbamazapine epoxide; and caffeine," the Guardian reported. Officials indicated they are unlikely to pose a health risk.

This problem is not new, Water Online reported last year: "It has long been known that there are trace amounts of PPCPs (pharmaceutical and personal care products) that escape our wastewater treatment plants and end up in waterways, including drinking water sources."

"Though unregulated, PPCPs are on the EPA’s radar via the Third Contaminant Candidate List (CCL3) and the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) — precursors to possible regulatory action," the report said.

The recent cocaine study immediately became a part of the drug policy debate in the U.K. Some voices used the findings to support claims that cocaine is a big problem in Britain.

Steve Rolles, an official at the drug policy think tank Transform, argued that the results "were an indication of the scale of the use of the drug in Britain today," the Independent reported. “We have the near highest level of cocaine use in western Europe,” Rolles said to the Sunday Times. “It has also been getting cheaper and cheaper at the same time as its use has been going up.”

Reports cited a handful of other high-profile news stories illustrating cocaine use in Britain. For instance, "traces of cocaine have been found in toilet cubicles throughout the Houses of Parliament in tests carried out by a tabloid newspaper," the International Business Times reported. Nearly 4.4 percent of 25 to 29-year-olds use the drug, and it is cheaper there than other nations, the Post report said.

Cocaine use can lead to heart attacks, strokes and sudden death, according to U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

“The Solution to Cross Connection Control is NOT dilution”

June Meeting Details Meetings of the San Antonio Chapter ABPA are usually held the second Thursday of every month except December. Dinner and refreshments are served at 6:00 p.m. sharp with the meeting starting at 6:30. The next meeting is: Date: Thursday, May 8, 2014 Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: 6425 Evers Rd. Leon Valley Conference Center Program: B. Moreland – with Apollo/Pepco

will present information about backflow products.

Meal: Apollo/Pepco

No alcoholic beverages allowed by

TCEQ Next Meeting: July 10, 2014

Director’s Meeting June Agenda 5:00 p.m. General discussion and quorum

confirmation 5:15 p.m. Call Meeting to order. 5:16 p.m. Secretary’s Report. Read and approve the

minutes of the previous meeting. 5:20 p.m. Treasurer’s Report. Discussion and

approval of the treasurer’s report. 5:25 p.m. Supply Officer’s Report 5:30 p.m. Vice President’s, Directors, and any other

reports for the good of the chapter. Comments, new business, any discussion.

5:40 p.m. Training Report. Training & Meal Sponsors 5:45 p.m. Webmaster Report 5:50 p.m. President’s Report. New & old business 6:00 p.m. Meal is served. 6:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting

1. Gauges to be tested. Bill Hamrick-Carl Michaud 2. Irrigator’s Report. Ron Renouf 3. Anything from the Directors Meeting. Jeff

Hoffman 4. Election of Officers & Directors 5. City, regional and national reports. Bruce

Rathburn and any City personnel present 6. First time attendees or visitors (get w/Troy for

member-ship) 7. Supply Officer Report. Troy Baird 8. Raffle prize announcement. 9. Training program for the evening.

Ongoing Goals of ABPA-SA Chapter

1. Educational Outreach with public by

presenting at PHCC meetings, engineering firms, schools, and neighborhood associations. Continuing goal.

2. Greater use of TCEQ website. Tracking of

CEUs, Services available. Personal education.

3. Increase member awareness of importance of chapter meetings. Increase attendance and public awareness.

4. Increase website resource information. More

detailed links to more information like TCEQ, COSA, and any place that would be helpful to our members

Big Thanks to

Nelson Haney from Longhorn Irrigation for sponsoring our May meal and providing an in-depth training session on the pump and the potential cross connection problems they present when used as pressure boosters.

Longhorn Irrigation for the $50 Academy Gift Certificate.

2

Chapter Chatter by Greg Shean, Secretary

PHC Industry Sporting Clay Shoot will be at the San Antonio Gun Club on June 5th. There will be a meal but no meeting or training. A circular will be e-mail going into more detail about the cost - $75 per shooter which will include the meal. However, you don’t have to be a shooter to socialize and eat. The meal will be $10. The meal will be better than last year. It will be BYOB after you shoot or don’t shoot. Can’t beat it for $10.

Almost Annual Fishing Trip will be at the Cast ‘n Stay at Baffin Bay. It will be Friday, October 10th to Sunday the 12th. Cost will be about $85 total for the two nights plus food which will be very reasonable. This is the Columbus Day weekend so it might slip to Saturday to Monday.

The menu is essentially the same as in 2012. Friday Evening: Appetizer: batter dipped smelt with choice of homemade cocktail, tartar sauce, or plain. Grilled 7oz hamburgers with caramelized onions, dill or bread and butter pickles, ketchup, mayo, jalapenos, and tomatoes. Trader Joe potato chips and cheese curls. Dessert: Bread pudding and whiskey sauce.

Saturday Breakfast. Choice of scratch buttermilk pancakes or waffles, eggs how you want them by Dave Egg Flipper Smith, bacon, orange juice, coffee, and my homemade cinnamon rolls.

Saturday Lunch. Made to go back to the dock. Seasoned oven baked chicken wings with enhanced Frank’s Hot Sauce. Deep smoked pulled pork with homemade BBQ sauce. Chips.

Saturday Dinner. For those who don’t want to go to Kings Inn. Corn mealed whole (cleaned, skinned, and no head – as in HEB fish counter – 13 oz) fried catfish, Texas coleslaw, hushpuppies (easier and better than fries). Plenty of homemade tartar sauce, the best you have ever had. Will need a count as catfish must be bought in San Antonio. Bread pudding and whiskey sauce.

Sunday Breakfast. Egg McBaffins with bacon and anything left over from Saturday’s breakfast. Orange juice. Cinnamon rolls.

30th Annual ABPA Education Conference and Trade Show. Six chapter members attended with two, Troy Baird and Frank Snyder, giving presentations. Steve Walker was the high bidder at $700 for a gauge that retailed at $1,900. We also won our 11th consecutive President’s Award for Chapter Excellence. It was our 13th award in the last 18 years. Only the Carolinas Chapter has more awards. You really have to attend to appreciate the conference. To see the Power Point presentations from past conferences, go to abpa.org, select Annual Conference on the left menu and the Past Conferences. Select any year and then a presentation that would interest you. The Pittsburg presentations should be posted by September. The 2015 conference will be in Nashville.

ABPA Website Update: I did talk to Shane Dillard. There is no user’s manual and the site was designed by an ABPA board member. It’s a great site but needs more information on how to use it, it’s benefits, and participation. I suggested that as a topic for next year.

The next Hands-On training will be September 17, 2014 Each member is responsible for themselves – Know where you stand

FAQ ABOUT THE SEPTEMBER 17th TRAINING SESSION

Who needs to attend: If your BPAT license expires before September 1, 2015, you need to attend the September 17th Training Session if you need your 8 hours of hands-on training.

How do I know if I need the hands-on training: Go to www.abpa-sa.org and click on “Resources”, then click on “CEU Hours” to look up your license information to see if you need the 8 hours hands-on training.

Who is eligible to attend: Only ABPA-SA members in good standing and who have 16 CE hours may attend.

3

MINUTES

SAN ANTONIO CHAPTER-ABPA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Thursday, May 8, 2014 President Jeff Hoffman presided over and opened the San Antonio Chapter-ABPA General Membership meeting starting at 6:35 p.m., for the regular monthly meeting at the City of Leon Valley Community Center.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS - PRESENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS - ABSENT Jeff Hoffman – President Matt Wilgen -Vice President Greg Shean – Secretary Troy Baird – Treasurer Dan Fernandez – Past President

OFFICERS SPECIAL TO THE CHAPTER - PRESENT

OFFICERS SPECIAL TO THE CHAPTER - ABSENT

Bill Hamrick – Gauge Testing & Certification Hector Flores – Sgt at Arms Carl Michaud - Special Officer to Gauge Testing and Certification

Jeff Meeks - Sgt. At Arms Matthew Wilgen – Webmaster Troy Baird - Supply Officer Manny Hernandez – Public Relations/ Speakers/ Program Topics

DIRECTORS AT LARGE - PRESENT DIRECTORS AT LARGE - ABSENT

Carl Michaud David Trousdale Frank Snyder Robert Stricker Fred Baird Ron Renouf James Franco Brad Harrell Johnnie Ivy GUEST PRESENT: Nelson Haney, Longhorn

Pipe & Irrigation, San Antonio

Agenda Item #1. Jim Hohlt’s Passing: Jeff said that Jim passed away on April 11th, one day after our April meeting. He was a long time member, resource, and good friend. Jeff wants us to set up something to remember our past members. We can gain benefit and acknowledge from our members. Jeff asked for and received a moment of silence for Jim. INFO. Agenda Item #2. Secretary’s Report: The April General Meeting minutes were posted in the May newsletter. David Smith made a motion to accept the minutes. Seconded and passed. INFO. 4

Agenda Item #3. National ABPA: Bill said he has not received a membership update from National as they are busy with the conference. Do not be alarmed if you have yellow or red after your name on the sign-in sheet. INFO. Agenda Item #4. National ABPA Conference: Jeff asked and counted four members going to National. He would like a summary of our PACE awards on the website. OPEN. Agenda Item #5. Supply Officer Report: Troy ordered 12 T-shirts in one color to see how they are before ordering more. Cost will be about $10. All will be 100% cotton with a pocket and our chapter logo. Caps and shirts are in if you placed one on special order. Shirts cost $25 each. OPEN. Agenda Item #6. Director’s Vacancy: There is a vacancy with the passing of Jim Hohlt on April 11th. The Directors voted to have Gene Hinojosa fill the remaining portion of Jim’s term. INFO. Agenda Item #7. Training Report: Nelson Haney, Longhorn Pipe and Irrigation will give a presentation on pumps. INFO. Agenda Item #8. Meal Sponsor: Longhorn will sponsor the meeting’s meal of baked chicken with gravy, two pasta dishes, and a spinach with almonds and strawberries salad INFO. Agenda Item #9. Raffle Sponsor: Longhorn will provide a $50 Academy gift certificate. INFO. Agenda Item #10. Website: Jeff said the website was, “Cool.” Jeff suggested that we can use the ABPA website which has a place for our website. Matt will check with ABPA and see what we can use. Jeff said we can use the website to publicize local backflow incidents and create a place for hazards. Robert said that he has a show that can be run on a continuous basis. Robert is still checking on what is available but it may have to be converted from VHS to DVD. Matt would like to have some kind of interaction on the website that we can use at the home and garden shows. OPEN. Agenda Item #11. Irrigator Report: No report. Agenda Item #12. Fishing Trip: A two three day overnight fishing trip in October was proposed. Fred and Troy Baird do not have an open date from their training schedule. Greg and Bruce will take over and find what dates are open coordinate a weekend will get more information. A firm date will be set. It will probably be at the same place and menu as the October 2012 trip. OPEN. Agenda Item #13. PHCC Report: The PHCC will sponsor their 2nd annual Shotgun Shoot at the San Antonio Gun Club off Contour Drive on June 5th. There will be a meal but no meeting or training. It will cost $75 per shooter. Greg talked about side dishes and dessert. Members will not have to pay the $10 in advance for meal only. Jeff will send out an e-mail. The PHCC will handle the registration. INFO. Agenda Item #14. SAWS Report: No report. Agenda Item #15. Hands-On Training: Troy reported that training will be on Wednesday, September 17th from 8 AM to 5 PM at Bac-Flo Unlimited. He also reviewed the two eligibility options. Attendees must sign up. Bill added that the testers should not wind hoses in tight circles when in the storage case. New hoses cost $85 for a set. INFO. Agenda Item #16. Public Awareness: Matt put the public relation VHS tapes on a DVD. Jeff wants to show them to the membership at the June meeting. OPEN.

5

Agenda Item #17. Sponsor Training: Nelson Haney passed out a packet of basic pump facts, charts, and work sheets. He said that water cannot be drawn higher than 34 feet because that is the limit of atmospheric pressure pushing down on the water at sea level. This is less at higher altitudes. Check valves are needed to keep water in pipe for pump priming. There are two types of pumps - submersible (push water out) and centrifugal where a motor-impeller moves water to outside of impeller to create pressure. The larger the impeller, more pressure is created but it needs more horsepower. Multi stage pumps with multi impellers will increase pressure but decreases volume. In a pump installation, need to know what service pressure, volume, elevation change from pump to furthest discharge, distance from water line to pump center-line, and length, size and material of suction line. Nelson’s work sheet organized all this information where charts could then be used to select the right pump. A jet pump is used where the water is shallow. This is a two pipe system where water is pumped into a venturi and it draws the water out through the venturi action. It was moved the meeting be adjourned. Seconded and pass. Meeting adjourned at 8:10.

Greg Shean Secretary ABPA San Antonio Chapter

6

ABPA-SA Board of Directors

Executive Officers

2013 - 2014

1) President –Jeff Hoffman 2) Vice President – Matthew Wilgen 3) Immediate Past President – Daniel Fernandez 4) Treasurer – Troy Baird 5) Secretary – Greg Shean

Special Officers to the Association

6) SGT-AT-ARMS – Hector Flores and Jeff Meeks 7) Supply Officer – Troy Baird 8) Gauge Testing and Certification – Bill Hamrick,

Special Officer to Gauge Testing and Certification: Carl Michaud. 9) Public Relations/ Speakers/ Program Topics – Manny Hernandez 10) Webmaster – Matthew Wilgen 11) Policies and Procedures – Frank Snyder

Directors at Large

Two-year term

1) Fred Baird 2) Brad Harrell 3) James Franco 4) Robert Stricker 5) Johnnie Ivy, Jr.

One year term remaining

6) Frank Snyder 7) Gene Hinojosa 8) Ron Renouf 9) David Trousdale .

7

“The Direct Connection” is published monthly and may be obtained from the website. Due to theexpenses associated with printing a mailing, future editions will be available only on the website, www.abpa-sa.org. Opinions or facts within “The Direct Connection” are not necessarily representative of the opinions of the American Backflow Prevention Association and may or may not represent an official policy. Additionally, the opinions or facts of contributors or advertisers mayor may not represent an official policy. Published by the ABPA-SA Chapter Editor: Bill Hamrick Assistant Editor: Bruce Rathburn Additional Editors: The entire Membership For further information about ABPA, contact: Bruce Rathburn 2800 US Hwy 281 North San Antonio, TX 78212

8

o .

9

Greg Shean, our chapter secretary, received the Gold Eagle Award at the 30th ABPA Annual Education Conference Awards Banquet in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 20, 2014. The Gold Eagle Award was started in 1998 to recognize specific individuals for their contributions to the American Backflow Prevention Association.The President of ABPA presents the Gold Eagle Award to identified individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in representing the membership of the Association.

EXCELLENCE MATTERS, SPECIFY IT!

Once again, Ames Knocks Out the Competition!Once again, Ames Knocks Out the Competition!

Choose the ChampionChoose the Champion

Ames delivers the USC approved 12" SilverBullet™ Series 2000SS

double check assembly offering theshortest lay length and best perform-ance of any comparable valve onthe market today.

Our 12" SilverBullet™ is also 50%lighter than other assemblies savingyou shipping and installation costs,while providing maximum strengthand long-term protection with fullASSE, UL, and USC Approvals.

For more information, visit our web siteat: www.amesfirewater.com

A Watts Water Technologies CompanyA Watts Water Technologies Company

12" NowUSC

Approved!

13755 Benchmark • Dallas, TX 75234 • (972) 852-3477 • (800) 339-0191

Ad-Ames 2000SS_HughCunningham.indd 1 4/21/10 10:06:15 AM

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

US Membership $65 International Membership $79

Sustaining Membership $300.00 New Member

Renewal - Member #______________ To join the American Backflow Prevention Association, simply fill out the membership application form and mail it with your check to the address listed below, or if paying by credit card you may fax the completed form to 979.846.7607. Local chapters have additional fees. Below is a listing of chapters by region. To find out if there is a local chapter in your area, please review the chapter information on our website at abpa.org or call the National Office at 979.846.7606. Membership in the Association constitutes paying National dues.

Sustaining Member: • Must be a company or organization • Assign only one person as the member of ABPA • A Sustaining Member must submit a letter that

designates their Voting Representative.

Please Print Legibly or Type

Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc First Name MI Last Name (Include suffix)

Organization (Agency/Firm) Department/Division Title

Address:

City: State / Prov Zip + 4 Code/Postal Code Country

Daytime Phone Fax Email

ABPA-SA $ 20.00 Local Chapter (if joining a local chapter) Local Dues Amount

Method of Payment

Charge $ 85.00 to my Visa MasterCard American Express Discover Check Money Order Invoice Me

Credit Card Number Card Expires (MM/YYYY) CVC Number

Name as it appears on card Signature

Additional Information How would you like to receive your Membership Renewal Invoice Notification? Email US Mail (Not available for International Membership)

Local Chapter Dues Listed by Region

REGION 1 New England Rhode Island

REGION 2 Virginia

REGION 3 Carolinas Florida Suncoast Peach State “1788” Tennessee

REGION 4 Arkansas Central Texas Corpus Christi Lower Rio Grande Valley North Texas San Antonio

$12.00 18.00

$25.00

$10.00 12.00 30.00 20.00

$10.00 20.00 23.00 25.00 23.00 20.00

REGION 5 Colorado Southeastern Colorado Utah

REGION 6 Arizona Central Coast Central Valley California Hawaii Silver State Southern California

REGION 7 Big Sky Idaho Oregon SRC4

REGION 8 (USD) BCBPA (British Columbia)

$15.00 15.00 12.00

$20.00 10.00 10.00 23.00 23.00 15.00

$10.00 10.00 20.00 20.00

$26.00

REGION 9 (USD) Ontario REGION 10 Wisconsin

REGION 11 Indiana Indiana BPA Michigan Northern Illinois Ohio

REGION 12 Central Missouri Eastern Nebraska Heart of America Panhandle Western Nebraska

$50.00

$10.00

$ 5.00 25.00 40.00 23.00 10.00

$20.00 10.00 12.00 5.00 8.00

Please make checks payable to: ABPA PO Box 3051 . Bryan, TX 77805-3051 979.846.7606 . Fax: 979.846.7607 Email: membership@abpa.org

01.2014

ABPA-S.A. Chapter P.O. Box 1113 Boerne, TX 78006