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Newsletter Archive - Oct/Nov 2001 ARTICLES OF INTEREST FROM THIS ISSUE
Security was a major topic at WEFTEC 2001 With his statement to the opening session that "we are a war government", Tracy Mehan, the US EPA's assistant administrator for water, set the tone at WEFTEC 2001, which was held last month in Atlanta, Georgia. He said that the security of water and wastewater systems is a top priority and that the Bush administration has set up a water protection task force. Already research is underway into understanding potential threats, how chemicals could be used and their effects, monitoring, and assessing areas of vulnerability. "All systems and people including operators, managers and consultants are combatants," he said. "Security procedures should include everything from simply locking all doors to sending staff information to the FBI for background checks." Mr. Mehan then outlined a five-part action plan the task force is working on:
In his address to the conference, Bruce Babbitt, former US Interior Secretary under the Clinton administration, stated: "By being here, you rebuke the evils of terrorism." He then went on to explain how he was able to get the President to endorse such initiatives as the Florida Everglades restoration and the massive California Desert Protection Act. "President Clinton's appreciation of the outdoors did not extend beyond the golf course," he said, adding that: "I got him interested by comparing his environmental legacy with Theodore Roosevelt's!" Mr. Babbitt then gave some predictions for the future. "Because the water cycle is getting shorter, wastewater professionals must become watershed managers," he said. He believes that the move to set ambient instead of point source water standards and Total Maximum Daily Loads, will lead to zero discharge limits for wastewater treatment plants. This has already happened in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and Malibu Creek in California. According to Mr. Babbitt, in the Gulf of Mexico there is a 7,000 square mile hypoxic "dead" zone. He believes this in itself will lead to legislated nutrient reductions in the 24 states that are in the Mississippi River watershed. This means that all dischargers, including agriculture, will have to begin bargaining about their obligations to meet ambient standards. There will be no distinction between point and non-point sources. It also means that new development will not be able to alter the hydrograph, i.e. flow and quality in the area. Mr. Babbitt warned that the move to ambient water quality standards and TMDLs will mean that pollution reduction will become a political process, and not necessarily a technical process. WEF addressed the concern for the vulnerability of water systems to terrorism, by adding two sessions to the program. Rob Penner, AWWA Deputy Executive Director, explained that most biological threats can be treated by the systems already in place. Managers must also be prepared for other situations such as vandalism and false threats, which can cause as much panic as a real threat. "Take care of your system's vulnerability and strengthen communication with public health officials," he said, adding that: "Everything going on is really more of a perceived threat than a real threat." Mr. Penner said that AWWA is working on a new protected web site to help educate the industry on system security as well as conducting a series of 'by invitation only' seminars. Allan Rose, a Vice-President of Black & Veatch, said that utilities need to test their systems, define the nature of potential threats and then develop effective countermeasures. "View your system as a series of targets.... Don't provide the weapon. You have already given them the delivery method," he said. He stressed the importance of knowing your vendors and personnel. Also, utilities should make sure their public relations staff are capable of dealing with media questions. Steve Davey, Environmental Science & Engineering Peter Laughton awarded Albert E. Berry Medal
The Albert E. Berry Medal from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, for the year 2001 went to Peter J. Laughton, Chairman and Director of Environmental Engineering, R.V. Anderson Associates Limited. Peter Laughton obtained a B.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering in 1966 and a M. Eng. in Civil (Environmental) Engineering in 1973 from the University of Toronto. In 1987, he obtained a degree in Computer Science from York University and received an honorary doctorate in engineering from Ryerson Polytechnic University in 1997. He is a registered professional engineer in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. In 1995, Peter was the recipient of the PEO Engineering Medal for "engineering excellence". He has also received the Bedell Award, as well as awards from the Canadian Association on Water Quality and the Pollution Control Association of Ontario (now WEAO). Peter was president of WEAO from 1982-1983. The Albert E. Berry Award was established in 1987 in honour of Dr. Albert E. Berry (1894-1984), an outstanding civil engineer who was one of Canada's first environmental pioneers. Following World War I, Dr. Berry joined the Department of Health of the Province of Ontario and rose to become the chief engineer of the sanitary engineering division. Subsequently, he was appointed the first general manager and chief engineer of the Ontario Water Resources Commission, the forerunner of today's Ministry of the Environment. He was the only person ever to have served as President of the American Water Works Association and what is now the Water Environment Federation. The Albert E. Berry award is granted to a civil engineer who has contributed significantly to the field of environmental engineering in Canada. The presentation was made at the CSCE Annual Conference in Victoria. New Professionals Committee launched In light of the increasing average age of our members, the WEAO has launched the New Professionals Committee. This Committee will coordinate social events, technical and other activities focused on the interests of professionals new to the wastewater industry. In addition, there will be a New Professionals reception at the 2002 Conference in April, and a technical session offering an opportunity for New Professionals to make technical presentations. If you are interested in getting involved in this Committee or presenting a paper in the New Professionals session at the 2002 Conference, please advise Francesca Davino at WEAO, Tel: 1-888-355-1300 or (905) 726-1300, Fax: (905) 726-2300. Deborah Ross, KMK Consultants WEAO Responds to Questions Raised in Walkerton Inquiry The Water Environment Association of Ontario has an opportunity to speak out on issues raised in the Walkerton Inquiry. Our responses will be considered in developing long-term policies for watershed and biosolids management in Ontario. WEAO, through members appointed by the Board of Directors, is preparing responses to the following questions:
The responses to these questions will be completed and submitted by mid-November 2001, after legal review. The complete answers will be posted on the WEAO web site. Deborah Ross, KMK Consultants |
