A summary and guide for regulatory, development and environmental stakeholders. Consulting engineers and environmental scientists are frequently asked what type of modeling is required to achieve a project’s goals from a regulatory, design or habitat standpoint. The answer is integrally tied to the project setting as well as the project’s objectives. This article explores some
The City of Laguna Beachwas concerned about a siphon section of its primary wastewater transmission main that was constructed of steel pipe. They were also interested in evaluating the serviceability of contiguous fiberglass pipeline sections. The fiberglass pipeline had changed ownership, and records of the material type and fabrication methods were lost. This made it
A key element of the Recycled Water Policy adopted by the California Water Resources Control Board is developing salt and nutrient management plans for every groundwater basin by 2014. A two-year extension to 2016 is possible if substantial progress is being made). The plans are intended to protect groundwater from accumulating salt and nutrient concentrations
Faced with increasing water quality regulations and tightening budgets, 21 co-permittees in San Diego are developing a strategic approach to guide water quality programs over the next 20 years. As most in the field of water resources are aware, the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) was promulgated to address sources of pollution contributing to the
A small wastewater treatment facility facing regulatory fines and inefficient operations took an innovative approach to corrective action that avoided fines and leveraged existing facilities to improve operations. The Los Ranchos Mobile Home Park’s 100,000 gallon per day (gpd) wastewater treatment plant was plagued by constant odor complaints, failing percolation ponds and occasional spills. The
Recycled water purveyors who are finding more customer demand for their product face a potential new environmental challenge. Wetlands created by the discharge of excess recycled water can be adversely impacted as the water diminishes. “Often times, the discharge provides a water source for wetlands that otherwise would not have been present, especially in the
Finding “low-hanging fruit” at wastewater facilities to increase capacity and improve operational reliability can bring significant benefits by maintaining service levels without committing to large-scale capital expenditures. The key is seeking out inexpensive adjustments to current operating facilities that may allow postponing, changing, or eliminating major projects and expenditures. The best question an agency can
The City of Carlsbad converted two old sewer lift stations to facilitate gravity conveyance to an expanded collection system to reduce operations and maintenance expenses associated with the old lift stations. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) was selected as the preferred method of construction for installing the new gravity flow pipeline stations because of cooperating soil
After receiving resident feedback that its sewers were emitting odors, Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) launched an investigation into the effectiveness of its sewer siphons’ ventilation. While the Fountain Valley, CA district has a proactive siphon cleaning and maintenance program, the number of odor complaints in the vicinity of siphons indicated they were the problem.
A new water source in Southern California is the Holy Grail of water sustainability. Once found and developed, the challenge becomes effectively integrating the supply into an established water conveyance system. Often, the new source (e.g., desalinated groundwater or seawater, new wells, or imported water) is added at the smaller capacity fringe of the existing
