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ARTICLES OF INTEREST FROM THIS ISSUE
The challenge of change was PWO Workshop theme The theme of this year's workshop was Change: The Other Operations Challenge. When the Operations Challenge Committee sat down last fall to prepare for the 2002 event, the consensus was that the theme for the technical session should reflect an issue currently facing the operations industry. Those discussions led the Committee to conclude that, regardless of where you work in the Province of Ontario, operations personnel are being bombarded by change. Whether change is due to reconstruction, renovation, new regulations or organizational review, professional operators are expected to continue maintaining plant performance standards during periods of transition and to adapt to new circumstances. It is human nature to be opposed to change. Routine, consistency and familiarity provide us with a level of comfort that we are averse to disrupting. However, by looking at it as an opportunity rather than a challenge, we can learn from change. At the technical workshop, five presentations were made, each illustrating "productive" responses to change:
The Operations Challenge Committee would like to thank the presenters for their efforts in making this year's workshop so informative. Through their presentations, the audience gained an appreciation for the knowledge and personal growth that can be gained by tackling change "head on" with a positive attitude. We would also like to recognize this year's sponsor, Cytec Canada, whose financial contribution afforded us the opportunity to tour both the Woodward Avenue and Skyway Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Hamilton and Burlington respectively. Participants saw "first hand" some novel approaches to maintaining plant performance during reconstruction as well as innovative plant upgrade designs. At the 2003 PWO Technical Session, the Operations Challenge Committee is committed to presenting another timely industry related topic. Watch for details at: www.weao.org and plan to attend the 32nd Annual WEAO Technical Symposium and OPCEA Exhibition, which is being held in Toronto next year. Lisa Longhouse, PWO Technical Session Chair, 2002 Operations Challenge Committee A Great Start to 2002 Seminars with "Advances The first specialty seminar of 2002, Advances in Nutrient Removal, was a resounding success. Held at the CNE, Toronto, on February 21, the seminar had almost 75 attendees come to listen to industry experts from across North America. The morning session focussed primarily on nitrification upgrading approaches, while the afternoon session dealt with biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal systems. The day began with Dr. Peter Dold, of EnviroSim Associates, providing a brief overview of nitrogen and phosphorus removal systems. He introduced different approaches for phosphorus, nitrogen, and various biological nutrient removal systems. Cam Walsh, from the Regional Municipality of Halton, outlined the benefits realized through optimization at the Skyway WWTP. This multi-facetted approach allowed the Region to realize both capacity expansion and nitrification with substantially reduced capital expenditures. An overview of biological aerated filters for nutrient removal was provided by Brian Gage, of Aqua Technical Sales. He discussed the design and application of these very high rate proprietary systems. Dr. Valera Saknenko, R.V. Anderson Associates, rounded out the morning session by introducing the concept of integrated fixed film activated sludge systems to enhance nitrification without tankage expansion. This included a survey of different technology applications from around the world. The first afternoon speaker, Ken Abraham, Stantec Consulting, travelled from Sacramento, California, to provide an overview of biological nutrient removal systems, including typical configurations. He shared experiences gained through work at other nutrient removal plants across North America. The Kaldnes Moving Bed Biological Reactor (MBBR) process for nutrient removal, was discussed by Chandler Johnson, of Kaldnes North America. A full-scale trial of this system is planned at the Highland Creek Treatment Plant in Toronto. George Crawford, CH2M HILL Canada, discussed innovative upgrading approaches that have been used to convert facilities to biological nutrient removal with minimal additional tankage and capital costs. An excellent discussion on the operational issues with biological nutrient removal systems was provided by Kim Fries, of Earth Tech Canada. He provided valuable insight into improving the operation and control of biological nutrient removal plants. The WEAO would like to thank the speakers and attendees for making the first seminar of 2002 a great success. Troy Briggs, KMK Consultants Limited, Biosolids News: Committee develops strategic plan Biosolids News is a regular update on activities of the WEAO Biosolids Committee and information of interest related to the beneficial use of biosolids. At its November 2001 meeting, the Biosolids Committee had a Strategic Planning Session and agreed upon the following Mission Statement and Guiding Principles: Mission Statement: As water quality professionals, our mission is to promote responsible biosolids management practices that protect public health and the environment. Guiding Principles: 1. Increase public awareness and acceptance of biosolids practices. 2. Provide input and guidance to policy-makers relating to biosolids. 3. Identify gaps in information, current and emerging issues, generate information and incorporate into practice. 4. Disseminate sound technical information to the public, media, WEAO members and water quality professionals. 5. Network with WEAO members, municipal, provincial and federal governments, associations, industry and academia that are interested and involved in biosolids. Key result areas for 2002 and into the future were developed. Budgets for each activity were identified and have been presented to the WEAO Board. With Board support, the Biosolids Committee is looking at a very active year in 2002 and some longer term initiatives that will keep us all very busy in this quickly changing area. Biosolids EMS Update The Cities of Hamilton, Ottawa and the Region of Halton are proceeding "full steam ahead" on developing the Ontario Environmental Management System (EMS) pilot program for biosolids. With the guidance of the consulting team consisting of CH2M HILL, PA Consulting and Diamond Management, all three municipalities have completed their initial EMS training, needs assessment workshops, and senior management briefings and are presently developing their local EMS teams. Next steps include preparing detailed work plans and documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs). In the meantime, the Technical Steering Committee will be proceeding with finalizing the Ontario vision and mission statements and reviewing the Best Management Practices and EMS Guidance manuals. The other deliverable will be a Case Studies manual detailing the time and resources required by each municipality to implement the EMS, the benefits realized, and the lessons learned. Support from senior management, municipal staff, and contractors has been very positive and will be key to successfully implementing the EMS program. Contributions should be directed to Stephen Nutt at: stephen@xcg.com or Janice Patterson at: janice.patterson@omafra.gov.on.ca. |
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