Staying Afloat Amid Murky Regulations: My Quest for Water Treatment Compliance
As the manager of Inland Waters Inc., a water treatment and environmental services company, I’ve navigated the complex web of environmental regulations for years. It’s a never-ending battle, but one that’s essential for the health and well-being of our community. So, when the EPA introduced the Area-Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) to help drinking water systems meet even stricter water quality goals, I knew I had to dive in headfirst.
Diving into AWOP: Uncovering the Secrets to Optimization
The AWOP program, developed by the EPA, is a unique partnership between the federal government and state agencies. Its mission? To help water systems like mine enhance their existing treatment processes and operations, ultimately delivering a higher level of public health protection to our consumers. As the EPA explains, the program focuses on identifying ways to optimize our current system, rather than relying on costly infrastructure upgrades.
When I first heard about AWOP, I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical. After all, our water treatment plant had been chugging along just fine. But then I learned about the potential benefits – reduced disinfection byproduct levels, improved turbidity performance, and increased consumer confidence. Sold! I quickly signed Inland Waters up to participate.
Optimizing Our Operations: The AWOP Approach in Action
The AWOP program has a three-pronged approach, and we dove in headfirst. First, the state environmental agency conducted a comprehensive performance evaluation (CPE) of our plant. This in-depth review scrutinized every aspect of our treatment processes and practices, leaving no stone unturned.
Turning Turbidity Troubles into Triumphs
One of the key findings from the CPE? Our turbidity levels, while meeting the regulatory limit of 0.3 NTU, could be significantly improved. The AWOP team set a loftier goal for us: consistently achieving 0.1 NTU or less. At first, I thought they were dreaming. But the data told a different story.
According to the North Carolina AWOP program, surface water treatment plants that can maintain such low turbidity levels experience substantial water quality benefits. And after implementing the AWOP team’s recommendations, our turbidity levels plummeted. We went from an average maximum of 0.27 NTU to a mere 0.10 NTU, with over 91% of our measurements meeting the 0.1 NTU goal.
Conquering Disinfection Byproduct Dilemmas
Another area of focus for the AWOP program? Disinfection byproducts (DBPs). These unwanted compounds form when the chlorine we use to kill harmful microbes reacts with organic matter in the water. And as the EPA’s webinars on optimizing lagoon systems have shown, controlling DBPs can be a tricky balancing act.
But the AWOP team had our back. They helped us conduct a detailed analysis of DBP formation in our plant, and even performed jar testing to evaluate options for removing more organic matter. Armed with this data, we were able to make a strategic treatment change that slashed our total trihalomethane (TTHM) levels. The locational running annual averages (LRAAs) were dangerously close to the compliance limit before, but afterwards, we were sailing smoothly within the optimization goal.
Leveling Up with Performance-Based Training
The CPE was just the first step. Next, we dove into AWOP’s performance-based training (PBT) sessions. These hands-on workshops brought together water system representatives like myself and state experts to tackle real-world challenges.
I’ll never forget the first PBT session I attended. The small group setting was a bit intimidating at first, but once we got going, the ideas started flowing. We scrutinized our own plant’s data, identifying areas for improvement. And the best part? We didn’t just talk about theories – we got our hands dirty, practicing management and lab techniques that could immediately be implemented back home.
The PBT sessions also gave us a chance to learn from other water professionals in the area. Sharing experiences, troubleshooting common issues, and building a collaborative network – it was exactly what we needed to take our operations to the next level.
Diving Deeper: Expanding AWOP to Groundwater Systems
As impressed as I was with AWOP’s impact on our surface water treatment, I couldn’t help but wonder: what about groundwater systems? Luckily, the EPA had that covered too.
According to the North Carolina AWOP program, the EPA is currently developing a pilot program to bring the optimization approach to groundwater systems. While the specific details are still being ironed out, the potential is exciting. By applying the same rigor and technical assistance to our groundwater wells and treatment processes, we could see similar improvements in water quality and compliance.
Making Waves: The Benefits of Optimization
As I reflect on our journey with AWOP, I can’t help but be amazed by the tangible benefits we’ve seen. Sure, maintaining environmental compliance is still a constant challenge, but the program has given us the tools and knowledge to tackle it head-on.
Our reduced turbidity levels and TTHM concentrations aren’t just numbers on a page – they translate to cleaner, safer water for our community. And the confidence our consumers have in our product? Priceless. Inland Waters Inc. has become a trusted name in our region, known for our commitment to optimizing our operations and going above and beyond regulatory requirements.
But the benefits extend beyond just our own facility. By participating in AWOP, we’ve become part of a broader network of water professionals, sharing best practices and learning from one another. It’s a rising tide that lifts all boats – or, in this case, all water treatment plants.
Charting the Course Ahead
As I look to the future, I can’t help but feel excited about the possibilities. The EPA’s continued investment in AWOP, including efforts to expand the program to groundwater systems, suggests that optimization is the wave of the future. And Inland Waters Inc. is ready to ride that wave.
Of course, there will always be new challenges and evolving regulations to navigate. But with the tools, techniques, and collaborative network that AWOP has provided, I’m confident that we can stay ahead of the curve. It may not be easy, but when it comes to protecting our most precious resource, I know it’s worth the effort.
So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some optimization strategies to fine-tune. The water treatment game is ever-changing, but with AWOP in our corner, I know Inland Waters Inc. is poised to make waves for years to come.
