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F ebruary 24-27, 2013 Corpus Christi, Texas "Proudly serving educational excellence since 1918" A nnual School Coming soon W est Texas Regional School N ovember 6-8, 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL VOLUME 22 OCTOBER 2012 NUMBER 10

October 2012

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Page 1: October 2012

February 24-27, 2013Corpus Christi, Texas

"Proudly serving educational excellence since 1918"

Annual School Coming soon

West Texas Regional SchoolNovember 6-8, 2012

Texas WaTer UTiliTies

JOURNAL VOLUME 22 OCTOBER 2012 NUMBER 10

Page 2: October 2012

March 4-7 TWUA Annual School David Moore Norma Clark, (432)528-1608 (512) 459-3124

Feb. 6-9 Far West Texas Regional School Norma Clark Tom Ezell, (432) 553-1196 Pecos County Civic Center (432) 528-1608 Ft. Stockton, Texas March 20-22 Panhandle Regional School Jessie Flores Ruben Arias (806)378-3019 Amarillo Civic Center (806)378-3019 Amarillo, Texas

April 24-27 Southeast Regional School Pat Bell Rob Starr, (409) 755-1559 Holiday Inn Centre (979)265-3619 Beaumont, Texas May 8-10 Central West Texas Regional School Shorty Radde Mickey Chaney (325) 548-2237 Abilene Civic Center (325) 378-2021 Abilene, Texas

May 14-18 North Central Texas Regional School Wayne Owen Selena Jackson (972)237-8377 Univ. of Texas Arlington (817)335-2491 Arlington, Texas June 4-7 Central Texas Regional School Mark Seffrood Damon Boniface, (254) 986-2949 Killeen Civic Center (254)634-7461 Killeen, Texas July 9-11 Southwest Texas Regional School Tony Salinas Lynn Short, (361)485-3381 Embassy Suites (512)393-8024 San Marcos, Texas August 13-15 Permian Basin Regional School Norma Clark Norma Clark, (432) 528-1608 MCM Grande Hotel (432)528-1608 Odessa, Texas August 27-30 East Texas Regional School Mike Norris Mike Norris (903)939-8278 Harvey Hall & R.T.D.C. (903)939-8278 Tyler, Texas Nov. 5-8 West Texas Regional School Paul Nolen Russ Ropes (806)775-3237 Lubbock Civic Center (806)775-2747 Lubbock, Texas

DATE EVENT PRIMARY CONTACT EXHIBITS CONTACT

2012 TWUA REGIONAL SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Please contact the person listed below or T.W.U.A. Central Office at (888) 367-8982 Fax: (512) 459-7124or write to T.W.U.A. 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 West., Austin, Texas 78723-1093 for additional

information, visit www.twua.org. Thank you for your support!

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Feb 24-27 TWUA Annual School David Moore Norma Clark, (432)528-1608 (512) 459-3124

Feb. 5-7 Far West Texas Regional School Norma Clark Tom Ezell, (432) 553-1196 Pecos County Civic Center (432) 528-1608 Ft. Stockton, Texas April 2-4 Panhandle Regional School Jessie Flores Ruben Arias (806)378-3019 Amarillo Civic Center (806)378-3019 Amarillo, Texas

April 22-25 Southeast Regional School Pat Gray Rob Starr, (409) 755-1559 Holiday Inn Centre (713)637-8835 Beaumont, Texas May 7-9 Central West Texas Regional School Shorty Radde Mickey Chaney (325) 548-2237 Abilene Civic Center (325)650-1834 Abilene, Texas

May 13-17 North Central Texas Regional School Donna Starling Selena Jackson (972)237-8377 Univ. of Texas Arlington (972)721-2431 Arlington, Texas June 10-13 Central Texas Regional School Teresa Bryant Damon Boniface, (254) 986-2949 Killeen Civic Center (254)750-8007 Killeen, Texas July 9-11 Southwest Texas Regional School Tony Salinas Lynn Short, (361)485-3381 Embassy Suites (512)393-8024 San Marcos, Texas August 13-15 Permian Basin Regional School Norma Clark Norma Clark, (432) 528-1608 MCM Grande Hotel (432)528-1608 Odessa, Texas August 27-30 East Texas Regional School Mike Norris Mike Norris (903)939-8278 Harvey Hall & R.T.D.C. (903)939-8278 Tyler, Texas Nov. 5-8 West Texas Regional School Paul Nolen Russ Ropes (806)775-3237 Lubbock Civic Center (806)775-2747 Lubbock, Texas

2013 TWUA REGIONAL SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Page 3: October 2012

March 4-7 TWUA Annual School David Moore Norma Clark, (432)528-1608 (512) 459-3124

Feb. 6-9 Far West Texas Regional School Norma Clark Tom Ezell, (432) 553-1196 Pecos County Civic Center (432) 528-1608 Ft. Stockton, Texas March 20-22 Panhandle Regional School Jessie Flores Ruben Arias (806)378-3019 Amarillo Civic Center (806)378-3019 Amarillo, Texas

April 24-27 Southeast Regional School Pat Bell Rob Starr, (409) 755-1559 Holiday Inn Centre (979)265-3619 Beaumont, Texas May 8-10 Central West Texas Regional School Shorty Radde Mickey Chaney (325) 548-2237 Abilene Civic Center (325) 378-2021 Abilene, Texas

May 14-18 North Central Texas Regional School Wayne Owen Selena Jackson (972)237-8377 Univ. of Texas Arlington (817)335-2491 Arlington, Texas June 4-7 Central Texas Regional School Mark Seffrood Damon Boniface, (254) 986-2949 Killeen Civic Center (254)634-7461 Killeen, Texas July 9-11 Southwest Texas Regional School Tony Salinas Lynn Short, (361)485-3381 Embassy Suites (512)393-8024 San Marcos, Texas August 13-15 Permian Basin Regional School Norma Clark Norma Clark, (432) 528-1608 MCM Grande Hotel (432)528-1608 Odessa, Texas August 27-30 East Texas Regional School Mike Norris Mike Norris (903)939-8278 Harvey Hall & R.T.D.C. (903)939-8278 Tyler, Texas Nov. 5-8 West Texas Regional School Paul Nolen Russ Ropes (806)775-3237 Lubbock Civic Center (806)775-2747 Lubbock, Texas

DATE EVENT PRIMARY CONTACT EXHIBITS CONTACT

2012 TWUA REGIONAL SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Please contact the person listed below or T.W.U.A. Central Office at (888) 367-8982 Fax: (512) 459-7124or write to T.W.U.A. 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 West., Austin, Texas 78723-1093 for additional

information, visit www.twua.org. Thank you for your support!

Feb 24-27 TWUA Annual School David Moore Norma Clark, (432)528-1608 (512) 459-3124

Feb. 5-7 Far West Texas Regional School Norma Clark Tom Ezell, (432) 553-1196 Pecos County Civic Center (432) 528-1608 Ft. Stockton, Texas April 2-4 Panhandle Regional School Jessie Flores Ruben Arias (806)378-3019 Amarillo Civic Center (806)378-3019 Amarillo, Texas

April 22-25 Southeast Regional School Pat Gray Rob Starr, (409) 755-1559 Holiday Inn Centre (713)637-8835 Beaumont, Texas May 7-9 Central West Texas Regional School Shorty Radde Mickey Chaney (325) 548-2237 Abilene Civic Center (325)650-1834 Abilene, Texas

May 13-17 North Central Texas Regional School Donna Starling Selena Jackson (972)237-8377 Univ. of Texas Arlington (972)721-2431 Arlington, Texas June 10-13 Central Texas Regional School Teresa Bryant Damon Boniface, (254) 986-2949 Killeen Civic Center (254)750-8007 Killeen, Texas July 9-11 Southwest Texas Regional School Tony Salinas Lynn Short, (361)485-3381 Embassy Suites (512)393-8024 San Marcos, Texas August 13-15 Permian Basin Regional School Norma Clark Norma Clark, (432) 528-1608 MCM Grande Hotel (432)528-1608 Odessa, Texas August 27-30 East Texas Regional School Mike Norris Mike Norris (903)939-8278 Harvey Hall & R.T.D.C. (903)939-8278 Tyler, Texas Nov. 5-8 West Texas Regional School Paul Nolen Russ Ropes (806)775-3237 Lubbock Civic Center (806)775-2747 Lubbock, Texas

Page 4: October 2012

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL (ISSN 1051-709X) is published monthly by the Texas Water Utilities Association, located at 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 West, Austin, Texas 78723-1093, for engineers, operators, managers, laboratory technicians, customer service personnel, and other professionals employed in, or interested in, the water and/or wastewater industry. Five dollars of each annual membership dues payment to the Texas Water Utilities Association pays for a subscription. Non-Member subscription price: USA $50 per year; $4.20 per single copy; $60 per year outside USA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, TX. The Texas Water Utilities Association is wholly independent, and is not affiliated with the American Water Works Association, the Water Environment Federation, or any other National organization. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL, 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 W., Austin, TX 78723-1093. TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL is not responsible for facts and/or opinions expressed by contributors or in advertisements herein. Editorials and comments do not necessarily represent the official policy of the Texas Water Utilities Association. All inquiries should be directed to: Texas Water Utilities Association, 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 W, Austin, TX 78723-1093, phone 512/459-3124. Any material accepted for publication is subject to revision and editing at the discretion of the publisher. All advertising in the TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL is subject to approval of the publisher. Learn more about T.W.U.A. at our Web site: www.twua.org

ARTICLES S TRAINING LISTINGS S EMPLOYMENT

ARTICLES:President's Perspective..................................................................6 by, Norma Clark, TWUA President

TWUA Executive Director News: ....................................................8 by, Russell Hamilton, ED

PES News: Grease Abatement on Trail...........................................................10 by, Alphonse Newton, City of Fort Worth

Customer Service News: Listing for Dollars-Customer Complaints Create Profit................12 by, Mary Sandro, Customer Service Strategist

Safety News: Your Lab's Chemical Hygiene Plan...............................................16 by,Renee Witherspoon, Safety Committee Chair

Central Texas News: I've Called 811......Now What.......................................................18 by, Doug Meeks, Texas 811

In The News: Preparing Your Public Water System for a National Disaster......20 by, Central Office

Central Office News: Criminal Background, Operator Licensing and Notes..............22-24 by, Russell Hamilton and Central Office Staff

ADVERTISERS:Classified Ads.....................................................................................30 Ana-Lab.............................................................................................11 ChemEquip Services, L.L.C.................................................................. 19 Chlor-Serv, Inc...................................................................................24 Hartwell Environmental Corporation.......................................................2 Jim Cox Sales.......................................................................................7 Layne-Texas ........................................................................................9 Magna Flow ....................................................................................... .3 Moody Bros., Inc................................................................................21 Professional Cards..............................................................................24 Precision Calibrate .............................................................................18 Samco Leak Detection........................................................................18 Scoop Sludge Hog..............................................................................26 Smith Pump Company, Inc........................................ Inside Back Cover

TRAINING: TWUA West Texas Regional School Registration Information ............................. 5 TWUA Training Schedule................................................................................14 TEXAS AWWA Drinking Water Seminar Program...............................................19 TEEX Training Schedule..................................................................................27

Inside

4 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

14

22

10

Page 5: October 2012

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES ASSOCIATION 64th WEST TEXAS REGIONAL SCHOOL

LUBBOCK MEMORIAL CIVIC CENTER 1501 6TH STREET NOVEMBER 6 - NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Academic Offerings

WASTEWATER WATER WATER/WASTEWATER Basic Wastewater Basic Water Water Utilities Safety

Wastewater Treatment Water Distribution Water Utilities Management Wastewater Collection Ground Water Production Water Utilities Calculations Wastewater Laboratory Surface Water II *Pump & Pumping

Course schedule Tuesday 8:30 to12:00 and 1:00 to 5:30 Wednesday 8:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 5:00 *24 hour course will begin on Monday November 5th from 1:00 to 5:00 Thursday 8:00 to 12:00 Buffet Lunch Tue, Wed, Thu, 12:00 to 1:00

Registration and Fees

Pre-Registration Until November 1, 2012 TWUA Member Price Non-Member Price Mail Pre-Registration (Cash or Check Only) $ 200 $ 255 Internet Pre-Registration (Credit Card Only) $ 205 $ 260 On-Site Registration (No Credit Cards Accepted) (Check, Money Order, or Cash)

$ 220 with Proof of TWUA Membership

$ 270

Pre-registration via Mail or Internet (preferred) www.TWUA.org with Master Card or Visa. All students are provided study manuals, necessary class room supplies, a quality buffet lunch daily If testing, make arrangements with a TCEQ representative and have a SEPARATE CHECK made out to TCEQ.

Hotel Information

Holiday Inn Civic Center (Host Hotel), 801 Ave Q, Lubbock, TX 79401. (806) 763-1200 Group rate $72.00. Reservation cut off date is October 26, 2012. (To reserve your room online http://events.ichotelsgroup.com/DPRD-7LXU9V/LBBCC/website/ Use Group code WRW)

Radisson, 505 Ave Q, Lubbock, TX 79401. (806) 747-0171

La Quinta Inn, Inc., 601 Ave Q, Lubbock, TX 79401. (800) 531-5900

✄ ✄ ✄ Pre-Registration Form 64th WTRWUS School

Name: ___________________________________________ SS# or TCEQ Operator License#____________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _______________________________________________Home Phone:________________________________ Work Phone:_______________________________ Course Selection: _______________________________________________ Representing (Organization): _____________________________________Job Title:___________________________________ TWUA District/chapter: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Email Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________ Make checks payable to WTRWUS. No purchase orders accepted. No refunds after October 26, 2012. Please mail Pre-Registration Form and payment to: Attn: Secretary / Treasurer, P.O. Box 5068, Lubbock TX 79408 If you have any questions, please call Candy McCarthy at (806) 775-3221 or Fax (806) 775-3246

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Page 6: October 2012

Fall has arrived. Hopefully, the season change will bring much needed rain to the state. Although some parts of Texas have received rainfall, West Texas and many other areas are still experiencing severe drought conditions.

The United Nations predicts that by 2050, more than two billion people in 48 countries

will lack sufficient water. While doing some research on water conservation, I found the following interesting facts concerning water.

• 97% of the water on earth is salt water.

• 1.7% of the world’s water is frozen and unusable.

• Water is the only substance found on earth naturally in three forms — solid, liquid, and gas.

• More than 25% of bottled water comes from a municipal water supply, the same place that tap water comes from.

• If you drink your daily recommended 8 glasses of water per day from the tap, it will cost you approximately 50 cents per year. If you choose to drink it from bottled water, it can cost you up to $1,400 per year.

• There are approximately one million miles of water pipeline and aqueducts in the U.S. and Canada, enough to circle the Earth 40 times.

• The first water pipes in the U.S. were made from wood (bored logs that were charred with fire).

• The first municipal water filtration works opened in Paisley, Scotland in 1832.

• In 1900, 25,000 Americans died of typhoid. By 1960, that number dropped to 20 due to the use of chlorine in water treatment.

• It takes 7 ½ years for the average American residence to use the same amount of water that flows over the Niagara Falls in one second

(750,000 gallons).

• Approximately 400 billion gallons of water are used in the U.S. per day.

• It takes more water to manufacture a new car (39,000 gallons) than it does to fill an above ground swimming pool. It takes more than 10 gallons of water to produce one slice of bread and 1,000 gallons of water are required to produce one gallon of milk. Approximately 634 gallons of water go into the production of one hamburger. More than 713 gallons of water go into the production of one cotton t-shirt.

• Residential Europeans use approximately 50 gallons of water per day. American residents use about 100 gallons of water per day.

• In one year, the average American residence uses over 100,000 gallons of water (indoors and outdoors).

• The average faucet flows at a rate of 2 gallons per minute. You can save up to four gallons of water every morning by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth.

• Taking a bath requires up to 70 gallons of water. A five minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons.

• A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.

• At 1 drip per second, a faucet can leak 3,000 gallons per year.

According to the Texas Water Development Board, as of September 5, 2012, 392 public water systems in Texas were under voluntary water use restrictions and 632 systems were under mandatory water use restrictions. Each of us needs to continue to do our part to conserve and to educate the public about protecting and conserving this valuable resource.

6 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

TWUA PRESIDENT: Norma Clark, Permian Basin Regional Officer

Page 7: October 2012

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October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Page 8: October 2012

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NEWS: Russell Hamilton, TWUA ED

For the rain that has fallen, we are grateful. For the lakes, rivers, and streams that remain in need of replenishment, we ask that the blessing of abundant rainfall find them. We take comfort in knowing that through your grace, our water needs and this drought will soon end.

I want to begin with an update related to the Staff Guidance on Direct Supervision and Process Control that was in the last month’s journal. First of all this particular guidance was intended to address the Public Water Supply Distribution Systems. For the well and pump service members who have called, I apologize for any confusion. As far as I know, nothing has changed in any of the rules or requirements. Again the guidance was intended to address distribution system related process control items and direct supervision.

The Guidance Document was intended for the TCEQ staff to be able to uniformly administer compliance across the state. Thanks to calls and concerns voiced, I believe this particular guidance will be reviewed by TCEQ and hopefully recalled, until the language can be evaluated for conflicts with existing 290 rules. THIS IS JUST WHAT I HOPE HAPPENS; I HAVE NO INSIDE INFORMATION THAT INDICATES IT HAS OR WILL. I strongly urge you to err on the side of caution and comply with what is written in Chapter 290 until such time as a rule change is made while watching for more information to be released.

If in your opinion the guidance as it currently exists and relates to direct supervision and process control raises concerns for public health and safety; you are urged to contact the TCEQ Public Drinking Water section - email @ [email protected] or call 512-239-4691.

In visiting with some of the operators who have called, I notice a trend that is concerning. A good number of those that I spoke with, implied that TCEQ may have stumped their toe on this guidance; but they seemed to think the voice of the regulated community will be heard and any wrongs corrected. There in itself lies part of the problem. That is thinking that others will call in, or my opinion will not matter, or there will be enough uproar to cause a change without my input. I don’t want to risk irritating TCEQ staff. The reality is if TCEQ does not hear from the regulated community; how are they to know if they corrected a concern or contributed to more confusion?

I strongly encouraged these callers to relay their thoughts and opinions to the Public Drinking Water Section of TCEQ. Hopefully some did, but until TCEQ staff hears from the regulated community; everyone is working off assumptions along with the voice and opinions of a few. Special interest groups, operating companies, lobbyist and those who want less state oversight, may not have public health and safety at the top of their list of concerns. However, these are the ones who attend Drinking Water Advisory Group meetings. They are the ones who are not bashful about calling TCEQ staff and or in some cases legislators. My point is some make it their mission to make their voice heard. Others have to live with the outcome.

I am as guilty as the next about not always exercising my right to vote on controversial topics. A very wise and dear friend once told me, “If it’s not something important enough for you to become informed and involved on, then don’t complain when the outcome is not to your liking”.

The next Legislative Session begins in January and some legislators pre-file bills in November, so I encourage you to stay informed read the bills that affect water and wastewater and voice your opinion; share your thoughts.

The story goes something like this: there was this man who had lost his job due to economic times and company downsizing. This man immediately filed for his unemployment benefits and began searching for a new job.

Weeks went by, and hundreds of applications were submitted and not even one call for an interview. By this time frustration, and depression was in full motion.

Finally after almost a year, a friend pulled a few strings and was able to get this unemployed man a job interview.

The morning of the job interview, the man left his home in what he thought was ample time for the commute. This particular morning, traffic was unusually heavy and was not moving. There was a car directly in front of the man, and the driver seemed distracted and unconcerned with those around her. When the traffic was moving, she did not always drive the speed limit.

Every time the man attempted to get around the lady she seemed to speed up or in some way keep the man from making a pass. Time was slipping away, and this man did not want to be late. He began riding the lady’s bumper, he flashed his lights, and he attempted to switch lanes, but

8 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

Proud Supporter of : Breast Cancer Awareness

Page 9: October 2012

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NEWS: Russell Hamilton, TWUA ED

nothing he tried seemed to get him past the lady.

Finally, the man saw a little opening, and he switched lanes without signaling, gunned his car and when he got even with the lady he made it a point to honk and make an inappropriate hand jester.

As luck would have it, the man made it to his interview and the receptionist took him to an interview office. The receptionist mentioned that apparently traffic was detaining her boss, but she should be in shortly. The man sat there for several minutes when the door opened and in walked the Director of Human Relations. Shock appeared when this man realized the lady who he honked at and gave the hand jester too, was in fact the same person who was about to conduct his job interview. Do you think he was hired?

Parting Thought – We do not need all operators in Texas to be a member of TWUA – JUST YOU!!!

Officer:

BOBBY ROGERS President

[email protected]

LYNN SHORT President-Elect

Secretary/Treasurer [email protected]

TOM CLARK Vice-President

Secretary/Treasurer [email protected]

GLENDA DUNN Immediate Past President

[email protected]

TANNY BUSBY, JR. 2nd Past President

[email protected]

Central Office Direct Contact Numbers:

RUSSELL HAMILTON Executive Director

(512) 279-8122

DAVID MOORE Training Coordinator

(512) 279-8125

ANGELA MONROE Event Coordinator

(512) 279-8124

DONNA MARTIN Accounting

(512) 279-8128

HENRIETTA ADEE Membership Coordinator

(512)279-8129

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Page 10: October 2012

PES NEWS: Grease Abatement on Trail By, Alphonse Newton, REM City of Fort Worth

It had been a long day. The phone was ringing continuously. The usual, one problem after another, but with tons of experience, hardly anything seemed to surprise you anymore. Answers! You bet I had answers and if I didn’t, I knew exactly where to get the answer and the right answer. You take them one at a time, listen, make a personal connection; take a few friendly tangents, develop their trust and then turn around look them in the eye balls and provide them with what they need. Okay, well, perhaps not all the time.

It was late in the day; the paper pile was getting low and nearing completion. It was getting close to crossing out another day on the calendar as completed. Then all of a sudden, an urgent reminder message popped up on my computer screen from Outlook, which had just warned me not to forget that I had been subpoenaed to testify in municipal court in about an hour. There was no way I would forget it. Would we go to trial or get delayed again?

What's up with this case! This case was over seven years old. How many times had this case been scheduled? Each time the defendant would appear and postpone the trial. The defendant needed more time to obtain information; the defendant was attempting to obtain more facts; the defendant needed more time. I was thoroughly annoyed. Was the defendant really interested in having their day in court or were they attempting to get off on a legal technicality? They had repeatedly attempted to have the judge dismiss the case. Our prosecutor was far too sharp for their shenanigans.

It had been seven long years since this case had been filed. I remembered it very well. The manager was less than friendly, if not outright hostile and belligerent. To compound matters I was trying to make a good impression on our environmental prosecutor who accompanied me on this visit. That would be a tough feat now.

I had exercised my testimony in my mind many times over; the facts kept coming out the same. It was a clear cut violation. They had violated the intent and spirit of the ordinance. Nevertheless, it would be up to a jury or a judge to hear the facts of the case and rule on the merits of the evidence.

I trusted my law enforcement training and experience would pay big dividends now. The questions that were to come were not crafted by a polished, professional attorney, but by a hostile and partial defendant; a novice. I knew this novice would be looking for a knockout punch. The questions would be direct, personal, and most would not even address the merits of the alleged violation. Of course, you just never, never under estimate your adversary. The outcome was by no means certain.

One thing about testimony you must stick to the facts and

be truthful. No matter how awful you desire a win, you never perjure yourself; you let the truth stand on its own feet. To be sure, there are serious consequences for perjury, even in municipal court. I’m allergic to jail and would not fall into that trap. I had provided testimony for felony murder cases, drug cases, aggravated assault cases, not to mention misdemeanor speeding violations and red light infractions. It doesn't matter I always get butterflies.

Testifying in municipal court is not bad; it would all be over in an hour or so. I wouldn’t be here for several days or weeks. Besides you understand that you actually win most cases and lose very few. Juries is known for having a conviction rate of about 95% and I suspect that a judge ruling will be somewhere in the same ballpark. I’m sure it attests to the fine training we receive from TWUA.

After a last ditch, attempt to get a plea bargain the defendant was not amenable to it so the prosecutor was ready to go to trial. The defendant attempted to delay the trial once again, but this time, after seven years, the judge would have none of it. The judge was ready the prosecutor was ready the state witness was ready; the defendant would have loved to delay it once again. After seven years, it’s time to get on with it. The defendant reluctantly settled into the defendant’s seat to get ready for trial.

Into court, the litigants proceeded this late evening. I was not alone several code enforcement officers were there, and a couple of Health Department inspectors were there with their cases pending trial. One Health officer had to leave by 7:00 P.M. for mosquito control spraying; the West Nile virus epidemic could not wait.

I was nervously scanning the ticket, scanning my documentation. Is the date correct? Is the address correct? Did I cite the correct provision of the ordinance? All these thoughts danced in my mind as I prepared for the trial. Of course, everything was perfect or so I hoped, because here everything is examined with a fine tooth comb and sometimes mistakes come out of nowhere.

The prosecutor for the state has the burden of proving his case beyond a reasonable doubt. We had been in this arena many times before, and I was confident the prosecutor would reach this high mark this evening. Over the years, you could count the cases we lost on one hand.

The prosecutor and state’s witness [yours truly] were ready to get on with this ancient case. The defendant had elected to have the judge rule on the evidence. So at last we would know one way or the other the outcome of this citation. This delay reminded me of the ancient Chinese proverb that states, “The ox is slow, but the earth is patient”. Well even an ox doesn’t take seven years to plow a field. This was ridiculous.

10 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

Page 11: October 2012

During the prosecutors opening statement, my mind drifted to the nuts and bolts of enforcement. All violations must be actionable, and remedies must be non-exclusive. I recalled the different types of enforcement actions. Industrial users are held legally responsible for noncompliance, regardless of intent or negligence. There is no having to prove the degree of culpability. As one judge had stated to a defendant, you are being held to a standard of strict liability; it does not matter whether you knowingly, recklessly, negligently or otherwise violated the law. If you did it, you are in violation of the law.

In, Enforcement 101, we learned a variety of enforcement techniques. 1). There is the Notice of Violation, which is a formal notice that the industrial user is in violation of the law. 2) There is the citation which is a punitive action to the tune of $2,000 per violation. This tends to acts as a deterrent for future violations. 3) There are Administrative Orders in which specific action is ordered of the industrial user; a) Show cause order, b) Consent order; c) Compliance order; d) Cease and Desist order, in which the industrial user is given a specific time to stop an activity.

If the user fails to stop the activity, you have specified in the order, the consequence for noncompliance. You may terminate water service or shut-off their connection to the collection system or whatever action specified in your Enforcement Response Plan (ERP). 4) You may for serious violations go to District Court and obtain a Consent Decree, Injunction or litigate for civil penalties. This is not used very often by municipalities. I can think of one instance in my career where evidence was submitted to a District Court for specified civil penalties and cost recovery in the amount of services due our City. 5) Supplemental Enforcement may include, a) Public Notice, b) Water Service severance, c) termination of sewer service, d) performance bond/liability insurance and e) increased monitoring/reporting. These tools can be quite effective in bringing industrial users into compliance.

The ERP is designed to have the Publicly Owned Treatment Work’s (POTW) accept responsibility for enforcement of pretreatment requirements & standards; identify how the POTW will investigate noncompliance; specifies officials responsible for each type of enforcement and specifies the type of and time frames for taking and escalating enforcement for anticipated types of violations.

Fort Worth and some other cities use a Cost Allocation Table Compliance Incentive Matrix (CATCIM). This has been very effective in bringing noncompliant industrial users into compliance. Nearly all institutions are sensitive to controlling cost, which makes this approach very effective in encouraging compliance, being it is less costly to remain compliant. There are also Award Ceremonies to award those who have been compliant; there are Best Management Practices; there is the compliance schedule. These are other tools in the enforcement bag. By all means come to the Annual School in Corpus Christi in 2013 and we can go into detail on enforcement and other pretreatment subjects of interest.

Finally, I’m on the stand answering questions. The prosecutor jumps up repeatedly objecting to the defendant’s line of questioning. The prosecutor is sustained again and again by the presiding judge. The judge warns the defendant

repeatedly for improper questioning etiquette. The defendant is close to being held in contempt of court by the presiding judge; the defendant looks circumspect at the presiding judge, sighs and quits in frustration. Finally, my testimony is complete, and the judge dismisses me from the witness stand. I believe the defendant is about to pay a high cost for self-representation. That is how we ended up here anyway. I was impressed that the defendant had the good sense to quit worthless and nonproductive questioning before being held in contempt of court.

The defendant provides final argument for innocence and the prosecutor provides final argument for guilt. The judge takes a brief five minute recess and will return with the ruling. The five minutes seem like an eternity. Finally, we stand as the judge enters the court room. No grandstanding here, the judge states succinctly, “Based on the evidence provided you are found guilty as charged. The defendant is given ten days to appeal, but must pay penalties and court cost now.

After seven years, justice has been served. It appears our group is making progress in our battle for minimizing and eliminating fats, oil and grease discharges into the collection system. It was a long journey, but we finally got there. Justice is slow, but the earth is patient. Feel free to contact me at [email protected].

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Ana-Lab Corporation is an employee-owned organization which provides industry,

government, consultants, and individuals with complete, timely, and accurate chemical analysis, including state approved total coliform testing.

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Page 12: October 2012

CUSTOMER SERVICE NEWS: Listing for Dollars-Customer Complaints Create Profit By, Mary Sandro , Customer Service Strategist

Customer complaints are never easy to hear. If we shift from being defensive to opportunistic, complaints can be our best friend. If we do not listen, rest assured, the financial statement will communicate the news eventually.

Where water professionals share, discover and engage.

TWUA 95th Annual SchoolFebruary 24-27, 2013

12 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

Customer complaints are like medicine. Nobody likes them, but they make us better. Actually, they are probably more like preventative medicine because they provide advanced warning about problems. Financial statements, in contrast, provide a historical perspective. By the time problems manifest in the financial statements, forget the medicine. It’s time for emergency surgery.

Studies from the Technical Assistance Research Program* in Arlington, VA suggest that the root cause of customer complaints can be traced back to one of three areas: individual employees, the company, or the customer, with 80% of complaints traceable to the last two categories. By listening carefully, we can identify opportunities for training employees, improving products and services, and educating customers.

Individual Employees:

Business is becoming increasingly complex and fast-paced. Customer service professionals have to know their product or service, their company information, the technology that supports it, and how to communicate all of this to savvy, demanding customers. Even a small gap in knowledge or skill could cause huge repercussions in terms of lost business.

When I first started my seminar business, I received a few complaints about my individual skills as a speaker. Some customers complained that they didn’t like my Philadelphia accent, my hairstyle, the way I moved around the room, or the pace of my delivery. After I cried for a few hours, I decided to invest in voice lessons, an image consultant, and a video camera. These have been some of the best investments I have ever made. I never want to get in the way of my own success. Companies should not let their employees’ lack of knowledge or skill get in the way of their success.

The Company:

More often, the culprit is the actual product or service we provide. There may be an inherent flaw in the design. There could be a glitch in the distribution channel that causes dissatisfaction. Even if everything is perfect, marketing pieces, advertising campaigns, and salespeople could inflate value and create customer expectations that are impossible to satisfy.

Recently, I was providing a service that involved a series of facilitated sessions. I allowed the customer to choose the dates of our sessions. Even though there were very

few sessions, they occurred over a long period of time and the customer complained that the project took too long to complete. I made reparations to the client and decided to restructure the service and the pricing so that in the future I would control the timing of sessions. Now sessions always happen over a shorter period of time and the service has a higher value and is more profitable. I have fixed the delivery process of my service.

The Customer:

As many of us have always suspected, customers actually cause most of the problems they complain about. It’s not our fault. It’s not our employees’ fault. It’s the customer’s fault. Yet even here there is profit to be mined. Customer education and innovation are the possible solutions.

I always send out a preprogram questionnaire to customers in order to tailor their seminars. If customers have email, I send the questionnaire via email. Recently, I had a customer who did not know how to return the email questionnaire to me with responses filled in. I replied with brief instructions on how to work the email, which could be classified here as customer education.

Afterwards, I started wondering if there could be a better, easier, cleaner way to collect information, in other words, innovate. From that complaint, I decided to create hidden web pages on my website, customized to each customer with their company logo and questionnaire. Customers just click a link from an email, type their responses into a form on the web page that appears, and hit a submit button. This approach is much simpler and more impressive. I do this with all of my customers now and advertise it in my marketing.

Summary:

Page 13: October 2012

Where water professionals share, discover and engage.

TWUA 95th Annual SchoolFebruary 24-27, 2013

Quality Education...... By any means necessary!

REGISTRATION OPENS IN NOVEMBER!Visit www.twua.org for more information

on what we have planned for you in February.

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Page 14: October 2012

To register for any TWUA classes – simply complete the registration form and fax to (512)459-7124 or contact TWUA @ 888-367-8982 for additional details. *NOTICE: Due To Recent Increases For Training Materials - Class Costs Have Increased. ***Pre-Registration Is Defined To Mean 14 Days Prior To Any Scheduled Event. All registrations received after the pre-registration cutoff date must pay on-site registration fee. We strongly encourage everyone to please pre-register by fax, e-mail, or calling on site registrations are welcome but not preferred.

TWUA TRAINING SCHEDULE

Date Location Course Address Hours Credit

Oct 9-11 Weslaco Basic Water 1912 Joe Stevens 20 WNov 27-29 Carrollton Basic Water 4750 Josey Lane 20 WDec 11-13 Waco Basic Water 200 Colcord 20 WJan 15-17 New Braunfels Basic Water 355 FM 306 20 WMar 12-14 Huntsville GW Prod 488 SH75 N 20 WOct 2-4 Waco Distribution 200 Colcord 20 WNov 6-8 Weslaco Distribution 1912 Joe Stevens 20 WJan 29-31 New Braunfels Distribution 355 FM 306 20 WFeb 5-7 Carrollton Distribution 4750 Josey Lane 20 WMay 21-23 New Braunfels Distribution 355 FM 306 20 WJan 8-10 Huntsville Basic Wastewater 448 SH75 N 20 WWJan 8-10 Carrollton basic Wastewater 4750 Josey Lane 20 WWFeb 12-14 New Braunfels Basic Wastewater 355 FM 306 20 WWOct 16-18 New Braunfels WW Collection 355 FM 306 20 WWOct 16-18 Victoria WW Collection 2902 Bluff 20 WWOct 23-25 Carrollton WW Collection 4750 Josey Lane 20 WWNov 13-15 Corpus WW Collection 2726 Holly 20 WWApr 9-11 New Braunfels WW Collection 355 FM 306 20 WWOct 30-Nov 1 Texarkana WW Lab 4000 S Stateline 20 WWApr 2-4 Huntsville WW Lab 448 SH75 N 20 WWOct 1-3 Corpus Act Sludge 2726 Holly 20 WWJun 11-13 Huntsville Act Sludge 448 SH75 N 20 WWNov 13-15 New Braunfels Pump and Pumping 355 FM 306 24 W/WWNov 13-15 Victoria Pump and Pumping 2902 Bluff 24 W/WWMar 19-21 Carrollton Pump and Pumping 4750 Josey Lane 24 W/WWJul 16-18 Huntsville Pump and Pumping 448 SH75 N 24 W/WWOct 9-11 Waco Safety 200 Colcord 20 W/WWOct 16-18 McAllen Safety 2401 W Exp 83 20 W/WWDec 5-7 Rockport Safety 2751 SH35 Bypass 20 W/WWDec 11-13 New Braunfels Safety 355 FM 306 20 W/WWJun 11-13 Carrollton Safety 4750 Josey Lane 20 W/WWDec 3-5 Rockport V & H 2751 SH35 Bypass 20 W/WWMar 12-14 New Braunfels V & H 355 FM 306 20 W/WWOct 16-18 Gatesville Chlorinator Maint 110 N 8th 20 W/WWMay 7-9 Huntsville Chlorinator Maint 448 SH75 N 20 W/WWApr 9-11 Carrollton BPAT Refresher 4750 Josey Lane 20 W/WW/CSI/BPAT

14 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

Page 15: October 2012

TWUA TRAINING SCHEDULE20 HOUR CLASSES : (PRE-REGISTRATION) $200 MEMBER $250 NON-MEMBER (ON-SITE ) $250 MEMBER $300 NON-MEMBER

24 HOUR CLASSES: (PRE-REGISTRATION) $260 MEMBER $310 NON-MEMBER (ON-SITE) $310 MEMBER $360 NON-MEMBER You can registrar on-line at http://www.twua.org/training.php for

your next training class.

TWUA COURSE REGISTRATION FORM (Note: Please Print Legibly)

Name:_______________________________ E-Mail Address:_____________________________________

Course Name: ___________________________________ Date:__________________________________

Location:___________________________________________ Fee: ________________________________

Home Address:_________________________________ City:_____________State:_____ Zip:___________

Day Time Phone #:______________________ SS# or W/WW License number#:______________________

Company Name: _________________________________TWUA Member/Non-Member_________________

Visa/MC Acct. #: __________________________________________Expire Date: _____________________

Cardholder: __________________________________________________________________________

For credit cards please fax this form to 512/459-7124 Checks or money orders mail completed registration form along with payment to: Texas Water Utilities Association · 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 West · Austin, TX 78723-1093, Phone: 512/459-3124 or 888/367-8982, FAX: 512/459-7124, Register on-line at www.twua.org To obtain TCEQ License Number: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/nav/data/licensed_data.html

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING CUSTOMERS: Beginning March 1, 2011, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will accept a credit card or electronic check transfer for payments for all new occupational license and registration applications. As a result, any person applying for a new Occupational License or registration will be able to pay their application fee online using the TCEQ’s ePay system. Note: All online renewals will continue to be processed through Texas.gov. The ePay system allows companies, cities, municipalities, and organizations to pay up to 20 employees at one time using this system. At the time of the exam a printed receipt will be required. The receipt is considered to be a copy of the email verifying your payment or a copy of the web page showing the Trace Number and Voucher Number(s). For additional information and instructions on how to use the ePay system, please visit http://www.tceq.texas.gov/licensing/exams/registration. If you have questions please contact the Occupational Licensing Section at 512-239-6133 or email us at [email protected]. Allan Vargas, Manager Occupational

(24 hours) *(24 Students Max)Pre-registration $260 Member, $310 Non-Member On-site Registration $310 Member, $360 Non-Member 8 hr Mod I: TCEQ Training credit for: 8 hrs BPAT, CSI, LI, W/WW & WTS Licenses8 hr Mod II: TCEQ Training credit for: 8 hrs BPAT, CSI, LI, W/WW & WTS Licenses 8 hr BPAT PRACTICAL SKILLS REFRESHER: TCEQ Training credit for: 8 hrs BPAT ONLY License

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

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SAFETY NEWS: Your Lab's Chemical Hygiene Plan? By, Renee Witherspoon, Safety Committee Chair, MS,CSP, CIH,CHMM,

Visit www.twua.org for more information on what we have planned for you in February.

If you work in a lab, you should be familiar with the term Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). A CHP is a set of health and safety procedures and hygiene practices that are specifically written to protect laboratory workers from the physical and health hazards associated with the hazardous chemicals they work with. Although you may have received training on your CHP or your organizations hazard communication (Hazcom) plan, do you really know what the hazards are? Do you know how to protect yourself from those hazards?

Requirements of the OSHA Standard for Laboratories

OSHA requires employers to develop and periodically review and update the CHP under OSHA’s 1910.1450 standard, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories.

According to the OSHA standard, the CHP must include a minimum of these eight elements:

1. Criteria for reducing employee exposure to hazardous chemicals.

2. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

3. Requirements that ensure fume hoods and other protective equipment are functioning properly.

4. Circumstances requiring employer approval of certain laboratory operations, procedures, or activities before implementation.

5. Provisions for medical consultation.

6. Measures to protect employees from particularly hazardous materials.

7. Assignment of a Chemical Hygiene Officer- a qualified employee who, by training or experience, can provide technical guidance in developing and implementing the CHP.

8. Provisions for employee training.

Understanding the Hazards

Although employers are required to provide training in accordance with OSHA’s Laboratory Standard, it’s up to you

to understand the information to protect yourself from possible adverse effects when handling or working with hazardous chemicals.

You should know the answers to the following questions:

What are the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in my work area?

If there are OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) associated with those chemicals, are the chemical concentrations below recognized standards?

What are the signs and symptoms associated with exposures to these hazardous chemicals?

What methods are used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in my work area?

Do all hazardous chemicals have current Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS or SDS) immediately available in the event of an emergency? Do you know where they are located?

Are there any specific work practices, emergency procedures or PPE requirements when handling the hazardous chemical?

Since each CHP is site specific for each lab, it is important to be familiar with the contents of your plan. Now if, you also happen to be the safety officer and realize that your CHP still contains references to the “TNRCC” (changed to the TCEQ in 2002), it’s also time to update your program and retrain your personnel.

If you would like a copy of a generic Chemical Hygiene Plan and/or a Training Documentation Checklist for the Chemical Hygiene Plan, contact me at [email protected].

16 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

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Eric Garza, Sr. Lab Analyst with the City of Lubbock Southeast Water Reclamation Plant performing pH and temperature sample adjustment. The Chemical Hygiene Plan describes the physical and health hazards associated with his work and provides information on how he can protect himself from potential hazardous exposures while working in a laboratory environment.

From last month’s Safety Article: Are Your Hand Tools Handy by Barry Stephens. What’s wrong with this picture? Note the safety deficiencies.

Answers:

1) Employee is not wearing a hard hat.

2) Employee is not wearing safety glasses.

3) No visible ladder into a “confined space”.

4) No shoring of a trench that is over 4 feet deep.

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

I M A G I N E

A P R O G R A M

T H A T H E L P S U S

S AV E WA T E R T O D AY.

S O T H E Y ’ L L H AV E I T

T O M O R R O W.

EPA is proud to introduce WaterSense, a program that sets

performance and water-efficiency specifications for products and

services. Local utilities can use WaterSense to help residents save

water. Together, we can build an ethic of water efficiency and

protect this resource for future generations. Learn more at

www.epa.gov/watersense.

Page 18: October 2012

CENTRAL TEXAS NEWS: I've Called 811...... Now WHAT? By, Doug Meeks, Texas 811

A contractor has just damaged the main supply line into your city, created an outage, and contaminated the distribution system. By state law, were they required to notify you of their intent to excavate? The answer may surprise you!

When Title 5, Chapter 251 of the Texas Utilities Code was enacted over 12 years ago, it precipitated a certain level of excitement in the utility industry. Finally, damages to underground facilities by third parties would be reduced and those who damaged them would be held accountable. Sadly, the Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act turned out to be a paper tiger in this regard. Exceptions to the law have proven to be counterproductive to the original intent of “One Call” and facility damage prevention.

The most prominent exemption to the law is well known in the water distribution world. Water, wastewater, and slurry are identified as Class B facilities. Operators are not required to register these facilities with the 811 notification system or provide Positive Response to requests for facility locates. Well, so much for “One Call”; Might as well call it “Two or More Calls” or even “Why Call at All?”

I’m sure that excepting water utility operators from registering their facilities with the 811 notification system seemed like a politically viable alternative at the time but it is a major issue with many stakeholders, including those in the water distribution industry. While the law requires Class A facility Operators (gas, hazardous liquids, communications, and electric) to register their facilities with the 811 notification system and provide a Positive Response to the requestor within 48 hours, the law also requires the Excavator to notify those Class A operators of their intent to excavate.

Nothing in the law requires Excavators to notify Class B water utility Operators and request facility locates.

Luckily, many Excavators do make the effort to identify the water utility Operator, whether it be by a requirement of the municipal permitting process, to reduce their potential civil liability, for the safety of their workers, or even because it is the right thing to do! Unfortunately, the reality is that some Excavators may not take that extra step to identify those water systems operating outside of the 811 notification system. In some cases, the identification process is easy if it is a single provider like a small municipal system, but much of the time the water provider may not be so apparent. Multiple systems operating in a small geographic area complicates things for the Excavator. Who actually is the water provider, much less how does the Excavator contact them? Even requesting locates in large cities like San

Antonio can be complicated. “OK, I’ve called 811, now do I call SAWS or BexarMet… or both?

Until all Excavators and Operators take the appropriate steps to prevent damage to underground facilities, we will continue to experience incidents that are becoming all too common in Texas. Whether it is an outage affecting the electric grid or 911, draining a water tower during a Stage 3 drought condition, or a catastrophic incident involving explosion or fire, these incidents are almost completely within our power to prevent. As underground facility Operators and professional Excavators we owe it to the citizens of Texas to be part of the solution instead of the problem. Register your facilities with the 811 notification system and locate facilities that could be damaged ahead of construction to ensure that our precious natural resource makes it to the end user.

For additional information and utility damage prevention resources, go to: Texas811.com

18 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

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Six (6.25) hours of operator cer ca on and engineering PDH credits are pending for this seminar.

LocationThe Petroleum Club of Fort Worth777 Main StreetFort Worth, TX 76102

ParkingFREE parking validation is available for the parking garage at 7th Street and Commerce (Enter from Commerce).

Tickets validated at registration table.

HotelsFor more information on lodging, please contact Theo Chan at (214) 217-2223 or e-mail [email protected]

11th Annual Texas AWWA Drinking Water Seminar Program

Fort Worth, Texas October 19, 2012

North Central Texas Chapter of

TEXAS AWWADrinking Water Seminar

We are your Hydro Instruments distributor in the Central and West Texas area

PMB 316 402 A West Palm Valley Round Rock TX 78664 512.225.4813 Carey 512.671.3176 fax [email protected]

“Chemical Feed for Tomorrow’s Water”

•Chlorination •Sales •Preventative Maintenance •Calibrations •Service Calls •Repairs •Design •Installation •Training •Custom Fabrications •Consultations •24/7 Emergency Calls Visit our website at: www.chemequipwater.com

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Page 20: October 2012

IN THE NEWS: Preparing Your Public Water System for a Natural Disaster By, Central Office

General Preparation:

• Work schedule should be adjusted so that key staff members are on site or can be reached to keep all services operational if the facility remains online or to shutdown and startup facilities if and when necessary.

• Establish and schedule emergency operations and clean up crews.

• Review your emergency response plan and make sure it and contacts are current.

• Notify the TCEQ Public Drinking Water Program at (512) 239-4691 if the system’s sampling schedule needs to be adjusted.

• Notify and set up clear lines of communication with local police and fire department, in case of an injury or other emergencies. Request that local law enforcement check on any water staff that remain on-site at the water plants. If communication channels are down with these sites, this check needs to continue on a routine basis until communication channels are reestablished.

• If an emergency operating center or command post for the utility is established, notify state and federal agencies of locations and telephone numbers.

• Establish contacts to request emergency water supply, if necessary.

• Make arrangements with the local power utility to be prepared to disconnect power to the plant if the plant is evacuated or if power lines are downed and then to restore power as a priority customer.

• Make arrangements to purchase materials and supplies and to borrow/lease heavy equipment needed to make repairs to the plant.

• Make arrangements to have materials and chemicals delivered to the plant as soon as it is safe and units are repaired and ready for operation.

• Notify media on where to access information and press advisories:

o Have a “Boil Water Notice” prepared, including multilingual.

o Have “Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water” guidelines prepared. (See EPA link)

o Have “Shelter-in-Place” guidelines ready in case of release of hazardous materials. This is information to be provided to the public that may need to remain indoors.

• Establish in advance a centralized base of operations with first aid supplies, batteries, flashlights, and cellular phones or other wireless communication devices. Check all normal and emergency communication equipment and charge or replace batteries.

• Stock an adequate supply of non-perishable food and water for any essential personnel that are required to remain on site.

• Establish alternative transportation strategies for rotating in core employees to the facility if high water prevents travel. Personnel should bring a jump bag with them, which should contain change of clothes, flashlights, extra batteries, medications, and other essentials.

• Make sure all essential personnel are trained to shutdown and startup system in case of emergency.

• Notify TCEQ regional offices if a plant is taken off-line. An updated map and contact telephone numbers may be found at the website listed below. The utility should access this site and provide copies at all system facilities with the emergency response plan. TCEQ regional contact Info and regional map

• Review distribution maps to ensure they are up to date with isolation valves properly identified. Extra copies may be necessary for staff working in the field.

20 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

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Treatment Plant and Pumping Stations

• Run diagnostic tests on SCADA and control systems.

• All pump stations should be located in a well-drained area and be designed to remain in operation during flood events. If not, the pumps should be shut down and protected from electrical damage if they should become submerged. After any major storm event, check raw water intakes to minimize any debris or other materials which could enter. Any wells that were submerged must be disinfected prior to returning to service.

• Double check that all piping in surface water treatment plants is labeled according to color code as indicated in 30 TAC 290.42 (d)(13)(A).

• Check that all chemical bulk storage facility and day tanks are properly labeled.

• Be sure all dry chemicals are stored off the floor in a dry room that is protected against flooding or wetting from floors, walls, and ceilings.

• Check chemical inventory. A storm event could cause greater disinfectant demand, increased disinfection of broken waterlines and an increase in turbidity, so more disinfectant, and coagulant chemicals may be required. Verify that the current supply of calcium hypochlorite is adequate for this potential increased use.

• Fill empty storage tanks in flood prone areas with water to prevent floating or falling from wind forces.

• Remove or move chemicals to a safe area. If chemicals are removed from an underground or above ground tank, fill the tank with water to prevent floating.

• Remove fuel from underground storage tanks to prevent contamination and loss of the fuel. If possible move above ground fuel storage tanks to a safe, high area. Fuel will be needed for emergency and plant vehicles until new supplies arrive.

• Remove electrical motors, where possible. If not,

wrap the motors in plastic and seal as tight as possible, in order to protect the motor from silt, mud, and dirt. Any electrical motors that were submerged should be cleaned and dried prior to start up to prevent damage.

• Remove shop tools and electrical hand tools to the emergency operations center or command post.

• Monitor tank levels. Fill elevated and ground storage tanks to full capacity. Storage tanks should be valved off from the distribution system to prevent loss of water during the storm. Note: If this is done, the system must issue a Boil Water Notice because this can result in pressures dropping below 20 psi.

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

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CENTRAL OFFICE NEWS: Criminal Background & Operator Licensing By, Russell Hamilton, TWUA Executive Director

This is not the official policy and stance of TCEQ; this is simply my interpretation of the Criminal Background and Operator Licensing. If there is something below that turns out to be in conflict with TCEQ, their guidance and position is the ruling authority.

In 2009, there was legislation introduced that requires all state issued licensed holders to undergo criminal background checks. TCEQ is now attempting to comply with this legislation.

This background check is for all license holders (plumbing, solid waste, irrigation, etc.). When someone applies for a new license or when the license is renewed by legislative act, this background check must be performed. If an operator has a Water, Wastewater, Customer Service, and Backflow Licenses; there will be four separate applications and four checks.

TWUA Central Office has fielded many calls in reference to the background check and we are attempting to work through the process and offer additional information such as:

• The reason that TCEQ cannot discuss any events that might appear on your criminal history is they have to be absolutely certain they are speaking to the person in question. In other words, they do not want to be placed in a position where an employer is attempting to

find out more about an employee’s criminal history. So unless, there is absolute certainty that the caller is the license holder, TCEQ staff will not be allowed to discuss or comment on the issue.

• No comments over the phone will be made by a TCEQ staff member about a specific conviction keeping a license from being renewed or application approved.

• There is currently not a clear and defined list of offenses that would keep a license from being renewed. TCEQ is taking into account the operator’s likelihood of contact with the general public. Plant operators who may have made mistakes early in life do not present the same risks as operators who perform Customer Service Inspections.

• Items that will be scrutinized are believed to be any history and conviction of violence, theft, fraud, bribery, extortion, sexual misconduct, sexually violent offenses, assault, terroristic threats, violations of environmental law, and there are probably other offenses that would keep a license from being renewed, but TCEQ really isn’t concerned that you were convicted of possession in college and it is now 20 years later, and your primary job duties are working at a water or wastewater treatment plant.

22 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

Page 23: October 2012

• If someone has an indecent exposure conviction and they have a Customer Service Inspection License, this individual will more than likely have to meet with a TCEQ staff member in Austin. They will look at the time, how long ago it happen and have there been any repeat charges or other criminal history and behavior that would raise concern.

• If you are someone who when you turned 18 you were involved in numerous bar fights or convicted of numerous assault’s, and you display a history of violence and your job duties are directly related to any TCEQ license that places you in contact with the public, then again, TCEQ will look at timing, and attempt to determine a level of threat before deciding if the license will be renewed.

• As you might suspect there is a backlog of applications to be processed so currently TCEQ is not accepting pre approval applications. If you are not renewing or not applying for a new license, it appears there is simply too large of a workload to look at operators who’s license is expiring in a year or two. That may change in the future when the backlog is eliminated.

Another option would be to go to any DPS office and pay $3.00 and get your complete criminal history. If you have a questionable background, you probably want to do this; because you have to list all the offenses in the application, so if you miss something it would trigger a deficiency letter and more complete information would be requested.

The question has been posed to TCEQ staff regarding those with Concealed Handgun License. Basically since, background and finger prints were submitted to DPS would the license holder still be subjected to the background check ? The answer is YES the requirement for background check does not provide an exemption clause for those with CHL.

You are strongly encouraged to visit TCEQ website (www.tceq.texas.gov) click on the Licensing tab and follow the link or http://www.tceq.texas.gov/licensing/criminal-conviction-notification please download this guidance and read the information. Should TCEQ amend the guidance this link will be updated.

One other possibility that would make compliance with this rule is the submission of finger prints. Making the Operator Licensing similar to the CHL application. I know there are those who do not want “Big Brother” having personal information, and they feel this is just another way to control. But for those who are looking for easier compliance.

TCEQ could amend their procedures to include a one-time submittal of finger prints. TCEQ would have to make accommodations to their data base, and there is a fee of approximately $25.00 to go to an approved site and submit ones finger prints. Since law enforcement uses finger prints for identification purposes, any arrest would automatically become part of your history with TCEQ so no need for continued submittal of arrest and conviction information.

I believe that one reason TCEQ did not look more into this option was strictly related to cost. I on the other hand, would rather pay a one-time fee and never have to worry about accurately providing my history every time an operator license is renewed. It's not as if I have an extensive criminal history. I personal do not - just several traffic tickets, and a couple of vehicle versus deer collisions.

I understand that most are not excited about having to provide this information just to get an operator’s license renewed, but I am simply trying to facilitate an easier solution. I think the state will always accept the current method for those who might not have access or availability to submit electronic finger prints.

If this electronic finger prints option works for you, please email Russ Gardner @ [email protected] and let him know you would like this option and would participate should it become an option. Please understand this is NOT currently an option, but it is something that could incorporated into the TCEQ application process.

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Page 24: October 2012

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Notes from Central Office......................TRAINING: David Moore, TWUA Training Coordinator

As hard as it is to believe, this year is well on the way to being gone. Many are trying to stretch their training dollars as far as they will go. We are still working on the online training that may be an option to help stretch the funds, but the opportunity exists for water systems to stretch their dollars by hosting occasional classes. Hosting classes reduce the travel expenses required to obtain and renew those valuable licenses. With your personnel and a few gathered from close neighboring systems (12 or so), we can have classes come to you. Operators are close to home just in case, and the rising cost of travel is avoided. I am scheduling classes for 2013 and the calendar will begin to fill pretty soon, so if you need a class or a group of classes, let me know how I can help you. Of course, keep an eye out for classes around you if you can’t, or don’t want to host a class. Classes are sometimes unpredictable, so please plan ahead and don’t get caught at the last minute looking for classes to renew that valuable license!Membership: Henrietta Adee, TWUA Membership Coordinator

Reminder to all members, please go online and check your hours to make sure you are receiving your district meeting credit hours. And please make sure your membership profile is updated in the database at www.twua.org. If you have questions or trouble with your login please contact me directly (512)279-8129.

TWUA Journal: Angela Monroe, TWUA Event Planner/Editor

We have all certainly enjoyed the different water towers on the monthly journal. This is a great opportunity to showcase your city's towers. If your tower has not been displayed on the front cover, I encourage you to send in a picture, there is no wait time as the inventory is low this time of year. Simply send me a high resolution file preferably a PDF or a hard copy portrait style photo to Central Office. If you have questions I can be reached at 512-279-8124.

24 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

Page 25: October 2012

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES ASSOCIATION

Individual Membership ApplicationUse this form to:

1) Join TWUA "At Large"2) Join TWUA and a District/Chapter3) Renew your TWUA Membership

Please Print Clearly

Application for:o Active Membero Full-Time Studento Retired Membero Membership Renewalo New Member

*For additional information please contact our Membership Coordinator Ms. Henrietta Adee at: [email protected]

"At Large" or District/Chapter Name: ________________________________

Membership for year 20____

Name: _______________________________________________________

SS# _______ - _______ - __________

Home Address: ________________________________________________

City: ___________________________State: _______ Zip: __________

Home Phone: ( ) ___________________________________

Work Phone: ( ) ___________________________________

E-Mail Address: ____________________________________________

Employer: ________________________________________________

Job Title: _________________________________________________

Amount of Dues Enclosed: $ __________________________________

Signature of Member: _______________________________________

Today's Date: ______________________________________________

A portion of your T.W.U.A. Dues is allocated for a subscription to the Texas Water Utilities Journal.

Submit all dues to the TWUA Central Office: 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 W, Austin, TX 78723-1093

For more information, call 888-367-8982 or 512-459-3124. Fax: 512-459-7124.

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Page 26: October 2012

26 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

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Page 27: October 2012

WATER andWASTEWATER

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Page 28: October 2012

28 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

LICENSES ISSUED: AUGUST 2012

WATER OPERATOR CLASS A BASABE, MARCOS BURLESON, JAMES T FLORES, ESTEVAN GIDDINGS, GARY D GONZALES, MICHAEL HERNANDEZ, JOSE A PRICE, JEFF N CLASS D ANCISO, ROLANDO BEALE, WILLIAM C BLUEMEL, BILLY S CASSO, JOHN L CORTEZ, DOMINIC DAHL, NATHAN S DE LA GARZA, SANTOS D DELAROSA, JOHN A DILLARD, LEE R EICHHOLZ, BENJAMIN R ESTRIDGE, MATTHEW A PE FUCHS, GREG J GEERLINGS, ERIC P GERARDINO, MICHAEL A HACKER, KENNETH H HICKS, LARRY K KOONSMAN, KENNETH L SR LENOIR, KIM M MARCANTEL, GARY L JR MCCOY, JEFF A MCMILLIAN, JAMES E JR MCPHERSON, WILLIAM MORGAN, ERIC C MORTON, MARTIE B NOMBRANO, ANTHONY R ODONNELL, DAVID M OLIVER, CHARLES K PATTON, CHARLES B RAMOS, RENE E REYES, RICK RICHARDSON, STACY RICHARDSON, WARREN I ROBERSON, JAMES E ROBINSON, STEPHEN R ROBLES, SALVADOR A SANCHEZ, MICHAEL C TAWWATER, JUSTIN S TIPTON, RUSSELL W TISETH, JOSEPH H TITZMAN, ROBERT J TORRES, JERRY WICHMAN, MATTHEW R WILLIAMS, JUANITO Q JR WILSON, ANDREW D WORMINGTON, CLIFFORD J WRIGHT, JAY L

WATER GROUND WATER CLASS B ALEJANDRO, MARIO BODDIE, ROY L HACKER, GARY L STROUD, CHARLES CLASS C BROWN, MICHAEL R CASTANEDA, FELICIANO CHAPMAN, BILLY V III CLINTON, THOMAS M DAILEY, ROWDY C DUNN, JEREMY E GONZALEZ, VICTOR M PARKER, BONNIE F PLEDGER, SHANE R STEELE, JEREMY B TIPPS, JUSTIN L WILLIAMS, RUSSELL SURFACE WATER TREATMENT CLASS B NEVELS, MICHAEL WOMACK, JOHN E III CLASS C AINSWORTH, ANH T BOYD, ALAN F BRINKLEY, LARRY D COMISKEY, PHILIP M DE LEON, ALFREDO FLORES, CHRISTINA FLORES, JOSE A HUDSON, JUSTINE L KNIGHT, LUCAS J LEINNEWEBER, CHRIS MARTINEZ, SALVADOR MCLANE, RODNEY J PERKINS, GREG L PIETZSCH, FRANZ J PILKINGTON, JUSTIN R PRUITT, CHRISTOPHER A STOWELL, CRAIG A

WATER DIST CLASS B PUTMAN, BILLY J CLASS C BIRCH, EDWARD R CERVENKA, CHRIS M CLAWSON, JEREMY D CONDE, EFRAIM COSPER, COY R DONALDSON, TOBYN P FOOTE, TERESA L GARCIA, ALEJANDRO GARCIA, JOE M JOHNSON, MAX L JR KENDIG, TED B KNEUPPER, JACLYN A RS KRUEGER, MATTHEW LAWRENCE, JASPER E SR PAULIN, ARMANDO JR RODRIGUEZ, ADAM ROSENFELD, RUDI SANCHEZ, MIGUEL A JR VILLANUEVA, JOSHUA L

WASTEWATER WASTEWATER COLLECTION CLASS I ALANIS, SERGIO HUTCHINSON, JON RATLIFF, ADAM C REICH, ANDREW P CLASS II ADDISON, VAUGHN M BRADEN, SHAWN R CALDERON, JAMES M GONZALEZ, ARMANDO HOWARD, JOEL M JR MARQUEZ, HUMBERTO THOMPSON, ETHAN W TRAFFANSTEAD, DONALD TREVINO, ALEX B JR VILLANUEVA, JOSHUA L WATKINS, JERRY B CLASS III BEARDEN, JOSEPH E CLAPP, DAVID H JENKINS, RANDALL R SIKES, CHARLES R WASTEWATER TREATMENT CLASS A GIDDINGS, GARY CLASS B AMOS, JAMES L CURRY, MICHAEL F DIAZ, HENRY H GONZALEZ, ERNESTO

WASTEWATER WASTEWATER COLLECTION CLASS I ALANIS, SERGIO HUTCHINSON, JON RATLIFF, ADAM C REICH, ANDREW P CLASS II ADDISON, VAUGHN M BRADEN, SHAWN R CALDERON, JAMES M GONZALEZ, ARMANDO HOWARD, JOEL M JR MARQUEZ, HUMBERTO THOMPSON, ETHAN W TRAFFANSTEAD, DONALD TREVINO, ALEX B JR VILLANUEVA, JOSHUA L WATKINS, JERRY B CLASS III BEARDEN, JOSEPH E CLAPP, DAVID H JENKINS, RANDALL R SIKES, CHARLES R WASTEWATER TREATMENT CLASS A GIDDINGS, GARY CLASS B AMOS, JAMES L CURRY, MICHAEL F DIAZ, HENRY H GONZALEZ, ERNESTO

HELMS, CLINTON R HOBBS, KEVIN R HUEY, BEAUX A JESSEMY, RANDY C KARST, ANDRE R KELLOGG, DEAN L MCILVANIE, ORVILLE SMITH, JOSHUA C STOVALL, DAEMEON VILLANUEVA, TOM F CLASS C BELAIRE, SYLVIAN BRIDGES, CHRIS HOWELL, JASON A MARTINEZ, JESUS MORALES, GABRIEL MUNGLE, DAVID A PILKINGTON, JUSTIN PRUITT, CHRIS RODRIGUEZ, RONALD TAVERA, EDGAR R TORRES, PAUL C WATSON, CODY D CLASS D ARMSTEAD, STACEY BLANK, DUSTIN S BOSWELL, BARRY D ESMOND, CHRIS FOLEY, BILL R FUNK, RHETT W HOLMES, WILLIAM A III LOPEZ, JOE C JR MARTINEZ, JESSIE MILEWSKI, NATHAN MONAGHAN, SCOTT A MORENO, BENJAMIN L NOTTINGHAM, ROY A PEVEHOUSE, DANNY PRESSLER, RONNIE PURSER, STEVEN P ROBLES, KARLA SHIPP, ROGER L SPEED, EMILY L TRAN, CAPTAIN

HELMS, CLINTON R HOBBS, KEVIN R HUEY, BEAUX A JESSEMY, RANDY C KARST, ANDRE R KELLOGG, DEAN L MCILVANIE, ORVILLE SMITH, JOSHUA C STOVALL, DAEMEON VILLANUEVA, TOM F CLASS C BELAIRE, SYLVIAN BRIDGES, CHRIS HOWELL, JASON A MARTINEZ, JESUS MORALES, GABRIEL MUNGLE, DAVID A PILKINGTON, JUSTIN PRUITT, CHRIS RODRIGUEZ, RONALD TAVERA, EDGAR R TORRES, PAUL C WATSON, CODY D CLASS D ARMSTEAD, STACEY BLANK, DUSTIN S BOSWELL, BARRY D ESMOND, CHRIS FOLEY, BILL R FUNK, RHETT W HOLMES, WILLIAM A III LOPEZ, JOE C JR MARTINEZ, JESSIE MILEWSKI, NATHAN MONAGHAN, SCOTT A MORENO, BENJAMIN L NOTTINGHAM, ROY A PEVEHOUSE, DANNY PRESSLER, RONNIE PURSER, STEVEN P ROBLES, KARLA SHIPP, ROGER L SPEED, EMILY L TRAN, CAPTAIN

WALKER, RONALD

BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TESTER BARGA, LAWRENCE G BRIAN, JUSTIN D DAVIS, BRADFORD VINCENT JONES, COLE D JONES, TIMOTHY J LARSON, DEVEN M LUNA, TONY MALITZ, JAMES M MAYO, DANNY G MCCLANAHAN, JEFF A MCLEMORE, RANDALL W MONCIVAIS, JOSE M NUGENT, CHRISTOPHER J RIVERA, DAVID T ROSE, JEFF R STEVICK, DUSTIN L THOMPSON, JOHNNY R TOBOLKA, TYLER W VALDEZ, THEODORE M VATER, DENNIS M WADDLE, JEREMY D WILLEY, JOSEPH A CUSTOMER SERVICE INSPECTOR BABB, GEORGIA L FRANCIS, JEREMIAH J HOOKS, HOWARD B JR SPENCER, JOHN D ZIELKE, LANCE E

Page 29: October 2012

TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATOR

Waco, Texas

Evaluates the SCADA system and creates a master plan for a network of automation. Designs and implements the installation, maintenance and operation of the SCADA system throughout water utilities. Performs divisional management by managing, directing, supporting and organizing divisional activities, establishing and imple-menting divisional goals and objectives, recommending changes in policies and procedures, preparing various reports, preparing and administering divisional budget by controlling expenses, implementing water utility system upgrades and changes resulting from the interpretation of volume, pressure, disinfectant, hydraulic and various other system parameters to maintain quality water and wastewater service. Performs supervisory functions and administers disciplinary actions. Monitors the schedules, man-hours, project time liens, work orders, and emergency activities to evaluate efficiency of the sections and process. Performs project management functions. Develops the Standard Operating Procedures with feed back from Supervision and staffing, then implement along with staff training. Class C Driver’s License and a Minimum of 10 years’ experience in programming industry/industrial Programmable Logic Controllers, Allen Bradley, Modicom, and GE. Minimum. Bachelor of Science in computer Science, Mechanical/Electrical Science, or related field. The incumbent will have 10 years’ experience in programming PLC based computer software, Wonder Ware and CSV files. The City of Waco is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. All applicants must go to the city’s website @http://www.waco-texas.com and review the instructions for completing the City of Waco application for employment under the JOBS category.

October 2012 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Licensing Review Questions

Answers to Licensing Review:1.B 2.B 3.D 4.C

SURFACE WATER AND MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Lake Belton

Position is for operator/maintenance technician to operate and maintain an 8MGD plant and distribution system. Experience in surface water treatment which include but not limited to: treatment, laboratory analysis, and maintenance skills both in the plant and distribution system. C surface water license and valid Texas driver’s license. Salary: $13.50 - $17.50 DOQ Bluebonnet Water Supply Corporation-Damon Boniface Fax resume and salary requirements to: 254-986-2418 Email resume and salary requirements to: [email protected]

Page 30: October 2012

MANAGER, SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

Dallas, Texas

Position will be responsible for direct oversight of operation and maintenance activities and personnel for the Collection System of the Trinity River Authority of Texas Central Regional Wastewater System. Will provide long-term planning recommendations and manage operation and capital improvement budgets. Will require relationship-building; strategic thinking, a high level of technical expertise; and ability to motivate and empower staff to maintain the highest professional standards. Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Class III Wastewater Collection Operator License preferred or a TCEQ Class “B” Texas Wastewater Treatment License is acceptable. Salary: $70,000 - $87,500 per year. Fax resume and salary requirements to: 972-975-4412 Email resume and salary requirements to: [email protected]

WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS

SUPERINTENDENT Texas City

Under the direction of the Director of Utilities, performs various skilled and semi-skilled works in the supervision of operations and maintenance of the potable water system. 1. Supervises the operation of water production and treatment equipment, including well sites, pumping, booster and reducing stations and treatment facilities. 2. Ensures that the potable water system is operating efficiently and meets standards for compliance with federal, state, and local water quality and environmental agency rules and regulations. 3. Ensures that sufficient potable water is supplied to users to satisfy public health and safety requirements, industrial, and fire-fighting

requirements. 4. Monitors control panels, meters, gauges, and computerized recording and control system for fluctuations or variations in operating conditions to determine correct adjustments. 5. Supervises and schedules operational and maintenance staff of semi-skilled and skilled employees. 6. Oversees the operation of the SCADA system which monitors well sites and water tanks. 7. Prepares and monitors water system operations department budget and capital improvement projects related to department. 8. Maintains operational logs and performance records, including daily and other periodic activity, production, and testing and quality control reports. 9. Develops and maintains database of maintenance, operations, production, and testing activities for federal, state, and local regulatory compliance. 10. Reviews sampling and testing procedures and monitors laboratory results. 11. Devises and schedules training programs and safety compliance training. 12. Reviews and evaluates plans and proposals for changes, upgrades, and addit ions, coordinates work by contractors and consultants for contract compliance. 13. Performs employee recruitment, hiring, and evaluations. 14. Responds to emergency situations, including power outages and adverse water treatment conditions, and public complaints and inquiries. 15. Remains on call 24 hours a day for operational and maintenance emergency situations. 16. Prepares oral and written reports as required on operations and maintenance. 17. Represents the city to users, outside groups, and other city departments. 18. Supervises procurement of equipment and services for the potable water system operations. 19. Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with city policies and

procedures. 20. Works in a safe manner and reports all unsafe activity and conditions to the Director of Utilities immediately. 21. Performs related duties as assigned. Requires a high school diploma or GED. Must possess a valid Texas Class “C” Driver License and compliance with the City of Texas City policy on driving. Must possess a valid TCEQ Class “A” Water License. Fax resume and salary requirements to: 409-643-5952 Email resume and salary requirements to: [email protected]

WATER/WASTEWATER OPERATOR China, Texas

The City of China is currently looking for Operators. All applicants should have a TCEQ C Ground Water License and a TCEQ C Wastewater License Knowledge in running a wastewater and water plant. Also must have the skills needed to fix any water or sewer repairs in the city and be able to read water meters. Needs a GED or High school Diploma and must hold the proper licenses needed to run both plants. Salary: DOE Fax resume and salary requirements to: 409-752-5184 Email resume and salary requirements to: [email protected]

WATER OPERATOR II Whitehouse, Texas

Day to day operation of water wells and pumping stations, 24 hour on-call rotation, any and all paperwork to and from TCEQ, grounds & equipment maintenance, responsible for keeping a safe work environment, 5 years’ experience operating heavy equipment such as backhoe & loader, other duties as assigned and/or required. High school graduate or equivalent is required. TCEQ Class C Ground Water is REQUIRED, TCEQ Class C Wastewater licenses or the ability to obtain these licenses within one year of hire, a valid

Texas Driver’s license with a clean driving record. Salary based on qualifications. City of Whitehouse: Fax resume and salary requirements to: (903)839-4915. Email resume and salary requirements to: [email protected]

UTILITY SERVICE TECHNICIAN Irving, Texas

U T I L I T Y S E R V I C E TECHNICIAN TO ACCESS F U L L J O B P O S T I N G A N D C L O S I N G D AT E OR VIEW OTHER JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Job line 972.721.3773 ext 346 or www.cityofirving.org Get application from the City of Irving Civic Center Complex, 825 West Irving Boulevard, Irving, or from our website. Completed application may be submitted online, delivered or mailed to Human Resources, or faxed to (972) 721-2582. Please be sure to indicate position for which you are applying. HS diploma or GED, one year water distribution system maintenance experience, Class C Water license, Class A CDL Texas DL required. City of Irving, Texas. Fax resume and salary requirements to: 972.721.2582 Email resume and salary requirements to: [email protected]

30 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org October 2012

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Page 31: October 2012

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Page 32: October 2012