Engineering Inc. - March/April 2005 - 29

David Kennedy Steve Masters President/CEO Public utilities administrator
Kennedy/Jenks Consultants and San Francisco Nicole Fleck-Tooze How can
engineers and water utilities better work Special projects administrator
together to stretch limited funding? Lincoln, Neb. ater utilities are
facing needs to upgrade W What are the most critical water quality issues
their systems because of changing water facing the industry? quality
requirements, increasing demand associated with growth and replacement or
renovation due to age and wear and tear. However, almost all water he
challenge is finding a balance between T utilities also are financially
constrained. Consulting engineers can serve a key role operations,
maintenance, growth and regula- in helping resolve these conflicts. This
can best be accomplished when the consult- tion. Water supply, wastewater
and water- ing engineer has formed a trusted adviser relationship with the
utilities' decision shed stormwater programs all require master makers.
Initially, a consulting engineer needs to develop an understanding of the
planning, monitoring, significant operations activ- water utilities'
needs, objectives, policies and resources. ities and, ultimately,
conformance with water qual- If limited funding is to be optimized, this
understanding needs to go beyond a ity standards. specific project. When
possible, financial considerations should be about total life Seasonal
variations in source water supply quality cycle costs, not just the design
fee or the construction costs. Because most utilities are receiving greater
attention, with stream-recharge are self-funding enterprise operations, we
need to help our clients think in terms of characteristics, water
temperature and agricultural both pay now or pay later and total life
cycle cost when deciding on a specific chemicals having a direct effect on
well field man- improvement. For example, a life cycle cost analysis would
show whether using a agement. These factors influence treatment plant
larger diameter pipe could save future energy costs. operation and,
ultimately, finished water quality. Often, existing facilities can be
creatively adapted or modified for changes in Distribution system water
quality is seen to be a treatment processes and increased hydraulic
capacity. Again, an understanding of dynamic operations consideration in
assuring ade- the client is important to determine whether interim or
long-term improvements quate disinfection levels and minimizing taste and
are more cost-effective. odors. The promulgation of new standards, changes
in sampling locations or revision of a contaminant standard are
health-based issues; yet, a seemingly minor adjustment in any of these may
create a major capital need for a public water supply. Bruce Florquist With
wastewater, it is a given that areas identified for growth must have
expanding trunk systems, and Director of public works timely
design/construction and off-site improve- Rawlins, Wyo. ments, including
treatment. Seasonal variations in What are the most critical water water
quality require coordination with state and federal agencies to allow
adjustments in levels of quality issues facing the industry? treatment.
And regula- tory actions driving ith the increasing evidence of global W
nutrient standards, warming, those of us in the water profes- blending and
endocrine sion should take a new look at future disruptors may create a
water quality issues and how they may or may not work with potentially
signif- major capital need for icant changes in climate, precipitation
patterns and recharge characteristics, as our operation. well as salt
water intrusion from rising sea levels and other related issues. On the
watershed Those who argue that there is no hard evidence for global
warming are not front, intensified land being realistic and are not
planning for the possibility that it is real and acceler- use for a given
area and ating. By the time there is enough evidence to convince some
people, it may be growth cause changes in too late to do anything about
it. receiving water body Studies in both the Arctic and Antarctic indicate
that polar ice is thinning quality and quantity. and receding. Some studies
have cautioned that animals such as polar bears The challenge is that may
face extinction. Similarly, warming waters in the Antarctic may be having
master planning, sedi- an effect on krill, which is the primary food
source for a variety of creatures ment enforcement and from whales to
penguins. basic drainage system If the food chain is collapsing in such
areas, can we expect the same to hap- management compete pen in fresh
water? And, if it does, what happens to the water chemistry that for
dollars, often with we have become accustomed to? Water planning has
always been a long-range other general fund-based project. We need to
start thinking even farther into the future. programs. March l April 2005
ENGINEERING INC. 2 9
Engineering Inc. - March/April 2005

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