Waterworks 101 Presented by South Sound Subsection PNWS-AWWA 

 

This training will present basic concepts and practices used in the water service industry including: water hydraulics, how a water system works, pipes, valves, hydrants, service lines and water meters. We will also be covering basics on tapping water mains, how weather conditions can affect water supply and delivery, water quality and flushing, and speaking with the public regarding water quality complaints.

Water Systems – An Overview

Water systems can be complex in terms of the physical components that make them up and the planning and engineering considerations that are intended to ensure adequate levels of service to the end customer. 

This presentation is intended to provide an introductory understanding of water systems for persons new to the industry.  Topics will include:

• Major system components: source of supply, treatment, storage, pumping, valves, pipes, meters, and hydrants – selection, sizing, locating, etc.
• Overall system layout - planning and design
• Regulatory and policy considerations
• Financial planning.

Water System Construction and Maintenance

A water system operator must have working knowledge of not only maintaining the system as-is but also must understand the basics of construction practices for water mains, services, reservoirs, and all other infrastructure elements that make up a water system. Operators must also understand different type of materials and installation practices and how/why those particular materials or practices are used in their respective situations or systems. Whether construction is contracted out or completed in-house, the installation specifications prescribed by each purveyor must be followed to ensure continuity and longevity.

This period of instruction will target all of the above and give operators a basic working knowledge of construction practices, types of materials and construction practices used, and why specific construction practices and/or materials are chosen for give situations.  This training will also give operators an idea of equipment that may be necessary to accomplish these projects.

Water Quality Monitoring

This class will provide information on the key water quality monitoring and public health protection responsibilities of a public water purveyor. It will review the multiple contaminants of concern in drinking water, particularly the microbiological agents of concern, and how regulatory schemes to assure continued compliance and water system performance have evolved.  Programs developed to assure safe and reliable water supply, including source water protection programs and cross-connection control program will be covered.

Water Quality Facilities

Treatment techniques and technologies are as varied as the contaminants they are designed to deal with.  The source of the water, whether it is ground water, surface water, or a combination of both, often dictates the treatment technologies needed.  This course will provide an overview of a variety of treatment methods most commonly found in public water systems including disinfection, Iron and Manganese removal, pH adjustment, and aeration.

Method of Instruction & Instructors’ Qualifications

Instructors will lecture from slides and handouts.  They will accept questions at the end of each segment and during the discussion at the end of the class. 

• David Roberts, Civil Engineer, Parametrix Inc., 1019 39^th Avenue SE, Suite 100, Puyallup WA 98374, (253) 604-6600.

Dave is a licensed professional engineer and senior consultant with Parametrix engineering. Dave works with utilities on water system plans and their engineering needs.

• Ted Hardiman, General Manager, Fruitland Mutual Water Company, 4001 9^th ST SW, Puyallup, WA 98373. 253-848-5519

Ted is the general manager for Fruitland Water and has 30 years of experience in all facets of the water industry including construction of new facilities and installation of water mains and services. He currently holds a WDM3 and CCS Washington certifications.

• Chris R. McMeen, Confluence Engineering, Seattle, WA.

Chris recently joined Confluence Engineering, a Seattle based consulting firm specializing in water quality and treatment solutions. This follows his retirement from Tacoma Water, where he served as Deputy Superintendent of Water, and Manager of the Water Quality and Supply Sections.   He has worked in the water industry for thirty years as a Peace Corps volunteer, an engineering consultant, drinking water regulator, utility engineer and manager.  He holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Civil Engineering, is a licensed professional engineer and a certified Waterworks operator.

• Michael Lubovich, Professional Engineer,  Kennedy/Jenks, 32001 32^nd Ave South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98001. (253) 835-6400

Michael is a Professional Engineer with over a decade of office and field experience. He started his career supporting various water treatment and conveyance projects. In June of 2013, Michael earned his Professional Engineer certification and has since worked as a Project Manager, Construction Manager, and Technical Design Lead.

Michael's area of focus has been in the design and construction of water pumping facilities, chemical storage and transfer systems, and mechanical systems. His design responsibilities have included steady-state and transient hydraulic modeling, equipment selection, facility layout, interdisciplinary coordination, and cost estimating.

• Matthew Hubbard, Civil Engineer, Tacoma Water, 3628 South 35^th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409, (253) 502-8501

Matt Hubbard is a System Planning Engineer at Tacoma Water, helping lead water system planning, main replacements, and capital engineering projects. Tacoma Water serves over 320,000 people and its water system is comprised of over 1,250 miles of distribution main. Prior to Tacoma, he worked for Brown and Caldwell and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and earned his Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington. Matt is a licensed professional engineer.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Different types of water sources.
• Types of storage facilities and their purpose
• Different types of pipes, valves, meters, hydrants, and other water system appurtenances.
• An understanding of why specific construction materials, methods, and equipment are used in certain situations.
• Treatment methods available for water quality issues commonly found in public water systems.
• How drinking water regulations have developed, how they work to protect public health, and how public water systems must respond to meet them.
• The classes of microbiological contaminants of concern.
• The classes of other contaminants of concern (inorganic & organic contaminants).
• The importance of preventative protection programs, including source water protection and cross-connection control programs.

.6 CEU has been approved for this training, so register by clicking the link below:

 

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