2015 annual conference june 25, 2015 the …...workplace, lead and motivate others, and excel in...

The Dissection of Tomorrow’s Water Quality Professional—What Will It Take to Be Successful? #DTWQP

June 4, 2015

Eric J. Wahlberg and Jason Tincu

2015 Annual Conference June 25, 2015

http://www.ohiowea.org/index.php

• Awakenings

• Incentives and Attractions

• Educational Pathways

• Technical Training

• Soft Skills

• Emerging Trends, Technologies, and Innovative Practices

• Takeaways and Q&A

Presentation

Brown and Caldwell 2

Awakenings

Exactly like my VW camper bus! Remember the year: 1977.

Blue River Wastewater Treat- ment Plant, Silverthorne, CO.

Eric Wahlberg

• BS Public Health—UMass

• Colorado operator

• MS & PhD Environmental Systems Engineering—Clemson University

• Research Dept.—LA County Sanitation District

• Brown and Caldwell

• WasteWater Technology Trainers


Jason Tincu

• Wanderer, Laborer, Landscaper, Social Engineer, Student (lifelong), Life Sponge

• ‘Landed in Sewer’ in ‘98

• AS (Sinclair), BS (Phoenix)

• Class IV, II, I (WW, W, Lab)

• Operated Utilities from 3.6-72 MGD

• WEF, OWEA/SWOWEA, AWWA

• Twitter - @JTinc20

• Brown and Caldwell


Montgomery County’s Eastern Regional WRF (Dayton, OH)

Glady Run WWTP (Xenia OH)


Environmental conditions, generational changes and societal evolution = new challenges (and opportunities) for the water industry.

• Water scarcity (integrated water planning/reuse)

• Nutrient impairment (recovery and WQT options)

• Wet weather (green infrastructure)

• Climate change (green energy, resource conservation)

• Sustainability (evolution of processes, technology, financing)

Need new modes of operation and new standards for water quality professionals


• Tomorrow’s WQP will have a new set of tools in the tool box…

• —but will still be combatting the forces of economics, regulations, politics and what-not!

• There is no specific blueprint at this point on the exact make up of tomorrow’s WQP…

• —we can project some of the key elements, concepts, skills, and credentials that may help the future generation be successful…by studying the ‘writing on the wall’!

Need new modes of operation and new standards for water quality professionals

Incentives and Attractions Or: Why Would You Want to do Your Job Better

We must, because . . .

Biosolids

Recycle Flows

Influent Effluent

Liquid Treatment

Solids

Treatment

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. . . treatment plants are getting more . . .

Biosolids &

Nutrients

Recycle Flows

Influent Recycled

Water

Liquid Treatment

Solids

Treatment

Heat &

Power

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. . . and more complicated

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• “Make permit”

• No! Wastewater treatment is WAY more than making permit (although, obviously, making permit is important)

• The operator’s credo: Our job is to remove pollutants from the incoming water while complying with all permits—water, air and land—and convert them to safe, disposable biosolids as sustainably and cost effectively as possible.

What is it we do?


• “Make permit”

• No! Wastewater treatment is WAY more than making permit (although, obviously, making permit is important)

• The operator’s credo: Our job is to remove pollutants from the incoming water while complying with all permits—water, air and land—and convert them to safe, disposable biosolids as sustainably and cost effectively as possible.

This is a game changer, especially as quickly as our jobs are evolving


• Decent pay for the required level of education

• Good benefits

• Job security

• Job satisfaction

• Very good opportunities for career advancement

• In fact, AWESOME job satisfaction

We know why we got in the business in the first place

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We should all be proud; what we do is remarkable

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An incredible endorsement of our profession

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Education Pathways & Technical Training Or: We Need to Demand More of Ourselves

• We see ourselves as Water Quality Professionals

• Most of the public sees us as plant attendants

A paradox that is mostly our doing


This is unproductive (I was going to say, This is nonsense)


Good settling is controlled by MCRT not by how many rotifers there are


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We are Masters of the nutrient-cycling universe!


http://annanimus.deviantart.com/art/Carbon-Cycle-376973639

Wastewater treatment is grounded in science. And math!


MLSS = (ISSINF + Yg • )

μ = (1/θc) + γ + b

VAB•MLSS θc =

BODINF – BODEFF

1 + b•SRT

Q•θc

VAB

QWAS•TSSWAS

We must embrace this and stop running scared


MLSS = (ISSINF + Yg • )

μ = (1/θc) + γ + b

VAB•MLSS θc =

BODINF – BODEFF

1 + b•SRT

Q•θc

VAB

QWAS•TSSWAS

An embarrassment for all of us: a recently published practice problem answered


When a plant uses mean cell residence time for

control, the wasting rate must remain constant.

This poses a problem when the BOD load coming

into the plant increases dramatically and can

upset the process.

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Where do we go


• The profession must ask more of us and we must ask more of ourselves so we are part of the solution(s)

• We need to put a lot more of the science of wastewater treatment into operator training and certification;

• We need to get rid of old, outdated, incorrect information

• We need to correct those individuals who perpetuate old, outdated, incorrect information or stop listening to them and stop giving them a pulpit

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What do we need to know


• Biology (microbiology), chemistry, physics

• Math

• Hydraulics, process engineering basics

• Power generation, power usage, power costs

• The interconnectedness of all things

• Emotional intelligence

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Soft Skills

The Workplace is Very Different, Now Requires Emotional Intelligence

1. Relieve stress

2. Communicate effectively

3. Empathize with others

4. Overcome challenges

5. Defuse conflict

Jedi level sensing & social powers

EI—The ability to identify, use, understand and manage emotions in positive ways


• Self-awareness —Recognize your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior, know your strengths and weaknesses, and have self-confidence.

• Self-management—Control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage your emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.

• Social awareness—Understand the emotions, needs, and concerns of others, pick up on emotional cues, feel comfortable socially, and recognize the power dynamics in a group or organization.

• Relationship management—Develop and maintain good relationships, communicate clearly, inspire and influence others, work well in a team, and manage conflict.

Attributes of EI (so necessary in today’s workplace)


• Your performance at work - Emotional intelligence can help you navigate the social complexities of the workplace, lead and motivate others, and excel in your career.

• Your physical health - If you’re unable to manage your stress levels, it can lead to serious health problems.

• Your mental health - Uncontrolled stress can also impact your mental health, making you vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

• Your relationships - By understanding your emotions and how to control them, you’re better able to express how you feel and understand how others are feeling.

EI—What’s in it for you


• The ability to quickly reduce stress in the moment in a variety of settings

• The ability to recognize your emotions and keep them from overwhelming you

• The ability to connect emotionally with others by using nonverbal communication

• The ability to use humor and play to stay connected in challenging situations

• The ability to resolve conflicts positively and with confidence

Getting started with EI:


New Processes, Outlets, and Platforms

"Technology innovation can accelerate progress toward our goals of clean and safe water. EPA and many stakeholders will strive to support technology innovation to solve water resource problems… cheaper, faster and using less energy!"

- Nancy Stoner, Acting Assistant Administrator for Water, U.S. EPA

Technology evolution


From US-EPA’s Blueprint for Integrating Technology Innovation into the National Water Program:

• The development and deployment of new technologies

• New applications of existing technology

• Production and process changes

• Organizational, management and cultural changes that can improve the condition and sustainability of our nation's water resources

Technology innovation


• Energy Reduction and Recovery at Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities

• Resource Recovery from Wastewater

• Improving and "Greening" of the Nation's Infrastructure

• Water Reuse

• Improved and Less Expensive Monitoring

• Reducing Water Impacts from Domestic Energy Production

Technology platforms


• East Bay Municipal Utilities District in CA is a net energy producer, accomplished by implementing actions to reduce energy usage and enhance energy generation in cogeneration.

• Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s (HRSD’s) Struvite Recovery Facility in VA extracts phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater treatment streams and converts them, at HRSD's Nansemond facility, into an environmentally friendly, commercial fertilizer called Crystal Green®.

Technology in action


• Innovation support and risk taking

• Create “regulatory space" to foster technology innovation

• Institutionalizing technology innovation

• Collaboration

• Communication and education

• Public-private partnerships

How do we get there?


Thank you!

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