tawwa / weatsections.weat.org/sanantonio/newsletters/2009jul-aug.pdf?p=san... · to dr. hatim...

With the region's worst drought in a generation approaching the two-year mark, San Antonians are putting the city's latest-generation water management strategies to the test – and passing that test with flying colors. Despite relentless triple-digit temperatures and near-zero rainfall, pumping from the Edward's Aquifer the area's primary supply is significantly lower than it was in June of last year.

How is that possible?

San Antonio Water System (SAWS), the city's municipally-owned utility, has for years managed its water supplies through drought stage rules and long-term water conservation programs. As a result, residents and businesses are used to reducing lawn irrigation and other non-essential water use to ensure "business as usual" in San Antonio, even in extreme drought.

While San Antonio's drought management ordinance includes year-round rules, Stage One restrictions, which limit landscape irrigation to one day per week, were finally triggered April 10. That's when the Edwards Aquifer dipped below the new drought threshold of 660 feet. Under Stage One, SAWS loses access to 20% of its main supply.

The aquifer continued its rapid decline in June, corresponding with agricultural irrigation in Medina and Uvalde counties. Stage Two was declared June 15, requiring an additional ten percent cutback on pumping from the Edwards Aquifer. But aquifer levels stopped the steep drop, thanks in part to a quick and attentive response from San Antonians who have complied with drought restrictions. As a result, SAWS pumping is 23% lower than during dry times with no restrictions. This is directly attributable to lower water use in compliance with drought restrictions. One remarkable trend is the usage reductions on weekends, when only hand watering is allowed. The impact on system wide pumping is clear. Saturday and Sunday pumping is on average 30 mgd lower than on weekdays.

How are San Antonio citizens working together so well? They have a long history of conserving year-round and managing water resources through dry times.

This drought has tested resolve, but citizens have demonstrated that they are passionate about ensuring that everyone does their part.

SAWS receives, on average, about 200 reports of water waste per day, submitted by concerned citizens via our telephone hotline or Web-based reporting system. There is a high expectation from callers that SAWS staff will redirect drought patrols to areas where violators are being observed so they can be given citations if they do not heed the warnings. Since April, there have been nearly 10,000 warnings issued and 2,000 citations.

The drought does not just cause extra work for the call center in taking water waste calls. There has also been an unfortunate record set in the number of main breaks that staff has been fixing. During this spring 10,000 overtime hours have been allocated to follow-up on the main breaks caused by shifting soils. This effort helps

(San Antonians Saving Water During Hot and Dry Times ...Continued on page 11)

WEAT San Antonio Section

August Meeting Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009

Time: 11:30 am

Place: San Antonio Water System

2800 US Highway 281 North

San Antonio, TX 78212

Speaker: Mr. George Wissmann

Trinity Glen Rose GCD

Topic: Trinity Glen Rose Ground

Water Conservation District

Speaker: Karen Guz

San Antonio Water System

Topic: Drought Management in

San Antonio

TAWWA South Texas Chapter September Meeting

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009

Time: 11:30 am

Place: San Antonio Water System

2800 US Highway 281 North

San Antonio, TX 78212

Speaker: Jonathan Vorheis, P.E.

CH2M HILL

Pablo Martinez


Topic: Medio Reclaimed—Expanding

The SAWS Recycled Water

System

August/September 2009; Issue 69

In this issue... • Water Conservation 1

• Letter from the President 2

• Speaker Information 3

• Award Nominations 4

• Survival Skills 5

• WEAT Scholarship 8

• Basura Bash 9

• Water Conservation (cont’d) 11

• Water Saving Tips 12

• Wayland Tank Visit 13

• Sudoku 14

• TAWWA/WEAT Contacts 15

• Upcoming Events 16 EDITORS: Jana Cezeaux ([email protected]) Ana Pena-Tijerina ([email protected]

TAWWA / WEATSOUTH TEXAS SECTION e-Newsletter

San Antonians Saving Water During Hot and Dry Times

TAWWA / WEAT South Texas Section E-Newsletter

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT July/August 2009

The summer is almost over, but it was during this time that our new TAWWA/WEAT officers started their terms, including me. It is a privilege and an honor to succeed Rudy as President of the South Texas Section of WEAT for the coming year. I certainly understand that serving as an officer is a great commitment. I would like to thank all of our officers and enthusiastic members for giving your time and effort to strengthen our industry.

Our industry is formed by a rich variety of people whose passion is water. Thus, as water professionals, we all know that water is a very valuable resource; more importantly, we need to remember that it is a limited commodity. During what has become the region’s most severe drought in recorded history, our reliance on water in our everyday lives has never been more clear. Water use restrictions have proven to be effective in helping preserve our water reserves, but we need to do more.

Because we may not receive rain for several more weeks, we need to increase our conservation efforts. You are invited to read the water-saving tips included in this issue, and you are challenged to put them into practice. If you already know them all and apply them, your task is to educate the community, children, neighbors, and friends around you. Remember, water conservation is a good habit that must be part of every person's everyday life.

This issue also contains our first “Test Your Knowledge” quiz. You are invited to take our quiz and win a free lunch at our next WEAT meeting. The first person that emails me at [email protected] with the correct answers will win a free lunch at our next meeting. Winner notification will be sent out by e-mail in the next 5 days.

I am proud to take on the role of President of our Section, and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Kind regards,

Ana J. Pena-Tijerina President, South TX Chapter WEAT

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PAST OFFICERS As our newly-elected Vice President and Treasurer take on their new positions, we would like to

thank the “retiring” officers for their dedication, guidance and a job well done.

Our special thanks go to Brad Groves as Rudy Kilian assumes the position of Past President.

We would also like to thank Jim Pedraza for two years of service as Treasurer and “Keeper of the

Money Box”. Now you guys can sit back and enjoy the Lunch Programs again!


AUGUST SPEAKERS

George Wissmann

Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater

Conservation District

and

Karen Guz


SEPTEMBER SPEAKERS

Pablo Martinez


and

Jonathan Vorheis

CH2M HILL

DON’T SEE YOUR

COMPANY IN THE

NEWSLETTER?

Contact Alissa Lockett ([email protected]) or Steve Renneker ([email protected]) for information on advertising.

Special Thanks to Our July

Speaker

Mr. Michael Rice, Vice President and Principal of So-Deep, Inc., gave an informative presentation on Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) - An Introduction to the Basics. Thank you, Mike.


WEAT & WEF STUDENT MEMBERSHIP AWARDS

The San Antonio Chapter of WEAT will be awarding student memberships to ten students currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. These students will be either civil

engineering or environmental science students.

To apply for the award, submit an application to Dr. Hatim Sharif at UTSA in BSE 1.320.

Deadline for applications is September 11,

2009

AWWA AWARD NOMINATIONS

Nominations for the following 2010 awards are due by 10/01/09.

Abel Wolman Award of Excellence

Award of Merit

Distinguished Public Service Award

Diversity Award

Outstanding Service to AWWA Award

Water Industry Hall of Fame Award

Honorary Member Award


TAWWA/WEAT South Texas Chapter

Do you have Survival Skills? This free seminar is an opportunity for developing survival skills that young professional need to successful in their career advancement. Speakers will be sharing their advice on various survival skills.

SAVE THE DATE! Event Location:

San Antonio River Authority 100 E Guenther

San Antonio, TX 78204 Date & Time:

Friday, October 9, 2009 11:30am –1:30pm

(Lunch provided)

Registration is free, but space is limited.

To register or for more information, Email:

Marcia Muñoz [email protected]

RSVP by October 5, 2009

Include in email: Name, company name and phone No.


WEAT San Antonio WEAT San Antonio WEAT San Antonio Chapter’s 2010 Officers!Chapter’s 2010 Officers!Chapter’s 2010 Officers!

The San Antonio Chapter of WEAT would like to

congratulate the new officers for 2010!

President—Ana Julia Peña-Tijerina (Carollo)

Past President—Rudy Kilian (Carollo)

Vice President—Robert Macias (SAWS)

Treasurer—Raymond Perez (SAWS)

Secretary—Jana Cezeaux (CDM)

WEFTEC®09 on the Horizon...

Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida Conference: October 10-14, 2009 Exhibition: October 12-14, 2009

82nd Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference

The largest water quality event in North America is heading to the Sunshine State! The latest in water quality research, technology and services will be on display at WEFTEC.09. WEFTEC offers the best water quality education and training available today and is a leading source for water quality developments, research, regulations, solutions, and cutting-edge technologies. Don’t miss your opportunity to join thousands of water and wastewater professionals at

WEFTEC.09 –The Water Quality Event!


Deadline for submitting Abstracts

For the Texas Water 2010

Conference is

September 15, 2009 http://TAWWA.org

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS


Special Thanks to Our August Speakers

Ms. Karen Guz Ms. Guz is the Director of Conservation at San Antonio Water System responsible for meeting long-term conservation goals that are part of the Water Management Plan. She serves on several Water Conservation Boa rds i n c l ud ing t h e W a te r Conservation Advisory Council of Texas, TCEQ Irrigation Advisory Council, and the Smart Water Application Technology Committee. Mr. George Wissmann Mr. Wissmann is the General Manager of the Trinity Glen Rose Conservation District. He is actively involved with Groundwater Management issues for Bexar County and the Hill Country, setting Desired Future Conditions for the Trinity Group of Aquifers.

San Antonio SectionSan Antonio SectionSan Antonio Section

WEATWEATWEAT

Scholarship ProgramScholarship ProgramScholarship Program This is the first year of the WEAT-SAS Scholarship, beginning with an initial endowment from the funds of the San Antonio Sect ion of the Water Environment Association of Texas. These funds have been developed over several years through the efforts of the officers and volunteers of the organization with Annual Seminars and Scholarship Events. Annual seminars, donations, and investment growth continue to provide funding for the scholarship.

Scholarships are available to students already attending a 4-year college or university with accredited degree programs. Preference will be given to students who are members of WEAT-SAS and enrolled in degree programs that a re cons is tent w i th the organization’s environmental goals.

Applicants must be full time students.

Call for Applications!

Due September 11, 2009 Contact Josh Marazzini, E.I.T.

c/o CP&Y, Inc. http://[email protected]

Alissa Lockett and Dennis Laskowski presented the WEAT Stockholm Junior Water Prize 3rd Place Texas State Competition Award to Miss Shivani Gaitonde from Madison High School


Our 1st Planning Committee Meeting will be on September 15th at the SAWS Cafeteria at 11:30 AM

All Welcome!


minimize water lost to these breaks and strives to meet customer expectation of keeping water in the pipes and not flowing down the streets. Crews have accomplished these additional work hours under challenging 100 degree conditions and have maintained excellent safety standards despite their extra effort.

During times of drought customers also engage in conservation programs in record numbers. This is a positive outcome from difficult conditions that can have a long-term benefit. The five field conservation consultants who offer home irrigation and indoor check-ups have been scheduled solid four weeks ahead

all summer because of high demand for their services. Unusually high numbers of other customers are choosing efficient washing machines, applying for high efficiency toilets, and asking for advice on how to redesign their landscapes. While it would be easy to be side-tracked by all of the effort of enforcing drought rules, staff at SAWS are also looking to the long-term result and keeping up with customer demand for these programs that will save water even when the rains come back.

Staff is now looking to a “Drought Recovery Package” even though we know the drought has not broken. This “package” of various education and incentive programs is aimed at helping homeowners “redecorate” their landscapes into ones that will be beautiful and easier to manage in dry times. This can be started even before the rains come so that there is less expanse of grass to worry about maintaining and so that irrigation is as efficient as possible.

As water professionals we all plan for bad droughts. San Antonio Water System recently updated its 50-year Water Management Plan with detailed “what if” discussions to ensure we could cope with extended drought. It is not a plan we wanted to test so quickly, but it is reassuring that the early phases of it are working well.

We are all hoping for a quick end to the drought of 2009. A very wet fall would be welcome. But as a water system we are prepared to meet customer needs even if it is dry longer.

San Antonians Saving Water During Hot and Dry Times


For approximately $10 to $20, the average homeowner can install two low-flow shower heads, place dams or bottles in the toilet tanks, install low-flow aerators on the faucets, and repair dripping faucets and leaking toilets. This could save 10,000 to more than 25,000 gallons per year for a family of four, and would pay for itself in less than a year! Even more could be saved if good outdoor water conservation is practiced for the lawn and garden.

Here are some more great water-saving tips to help you conserve water and lower your water bill:

Outdoors..

Water only when needed. Look at the grass, feel the soil, or use a soil moisture meter to determine when to water.

Do not over-water. Soil can absorb only so much moisture, and the rest simply runs off. A timer will help, and either a kitchen timer or an alarm clock will do. One and a half inches of water applied once a week in the summer will keep most Texas grasses alive and healthy.

Water lawns early in the morning during the hotter summer months. Otherwise, much of the water used on the lawn can simply evaporate between the sprinkler and the grass.

To avoid excessive evaporation, use a sprinkler that produces large drops of water, rather than a fine mist. Sprinklers that send droplets out on a low angle also help control evaporation.

Set automatic sprinkler systems to provide thorough, but infrequent watering. Pressure-regulating devices should be set to design specifications. Rain shutoff devices can prevent watering in the rain.

Use drip irrigation systems for bedded plants, trees, or shrubs, or turn soaker hoses upside-down so the holes are on the bottom. This will help avoid evaporation.

Forget about watering the streets or walks or driveways. They will never grow a thing.

In The Bathroom..

When brushing teeth, turn the water off until it is time to rinse.

Do not let the water run when washing hands. Water should be turned off while washing and scrubbing and be turned on again to rinse. A cutoff valve may be installed on the faucet.

When shaving, fill the lavatory basin with hot water instead of letting the water run continuously.

Install faucet aerators to reduce water consumption.

Install a low-flow shower head that limits the flow from the shower to less than three gallons per minute.

In The Kitchen.. Scrape the dishes clean instead of rinsing them before washing. There is no need to rinse unless they are heavily soiled.

Use a pan of water (or place a stopper in the sink) for washing and rinsing pots, pans, dishes, and cooking implements, rather than turning on the water faucet each time a rinse is needed.

Never run the dishwasher without a full load. This practice will save water, energy, detergent, and money.

Use the garbage disposal sparingly or start a compost pile.

Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator. Running water from the tap until it is cool is wasteful. Bet-ter still, both water and energy can be saved by keeping cold water in a picnic jug on a kitchen counter to avoid opening the refrigerator door frequently.


On Tuesday August 11, 2009, the San Antonio Chapters of TAWWA / WEAT were given the op-portunity to visit SAWS Wayland Tank Site, a 5-MG Concrete Floating Ground Storage Tank cur-rently under construction in Northeast San Anto-nio. The visit was co-sponsored by the steel pipe supplier, Northwest Pipe Company, the prime con-tractor, Holloman Corporation, the tank contractor, Natgun Inc. and the design engineer, CP&Y.

The visit included a tour of the pipe storage site and brief introduction to steel pipe by Northwest Pipe's Dan Myers, which was followed by a visit to the nearby 36-inch steel transmission main cur-rently being installed by Holloman and ending at the Wayland Tank Site currently under construc-tion by Natgun.

Approximately 25 Young Professionals were in attendance.

REMINDER! Applications for the

San Antonio WEAT Scholarships

Are due by

September 11, 2009 http://[email protected]

ADDITIONAL SEPTEMBER SPEAKER

Joe Thaxton United Water


Answer on Page 15

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EARN A FREE LUNCH! 1. Who are the new WEAT officers? a) Roberto Macias and Jim Pedraza. b) Rudy Kilian, Ana J. Pena-Tijerina and Jim Pedraza c) Raymond Perez and Roberto Macias 2. What is the Edwards Aquifer level threshold under Stage One? a) 650 feet b) 660 feet c) 665 feet 3. When will our Annual Evening Social/Scholarship Fundraiser be held? a) Friday November 27, 2009 b) Tuesday November 30, 2009 c) Thursday December 2, 2009 4. When is the best time to water lawns? a) Early in the morning b) Right at afternoon c) After 6:00 pm 5) Who was our August lunch/meeting speaker? a) Mike Rice b) George Wissmann c) Pablo Martinez


AWWA / WEAT CONTACTS AWWA OFFICERS

OFFICERS NAME DAY PHONE FAX NO. E-MAIL

President Jonathan Vorheis, PE 210.377.3081 210.349.8944 [email protected]

Past President Alissa Lockett, PE 210.233-3401 [email protected]

Vice President Kerry Averyt, PE 210.233.3591 210.233.4804 [email protected]

Secretary Melissa Bryant, PE 210.302.3611 210.302.3692 [email protected]

Deputy Trustee David Davenport 830.609.0543 830.609.0740 [email protected]

WEAT OFFICERS

OFFICERS NAME DAY PHONE FAX NO. E-MAIL

President Ana Peña-Tijerina, PhD, PE 210.829.5612 210.829.4159 [email protected]

Past President Rudy Kilian, PE 210.829.5612 210.829.4159 [email protected]

Vice President Roberto Macias 210.233.3824 210.233.4406 [email protected]

Secretary Jana Cezeaux 210.826.3200 210.826.8876 [email protected]

Treasurer Raymond Perez 210.233.3934 210.233.4352 [email protected]

Section Representative Dennis Laskowski, PE 210.233.3682 [email protected]

YP Representative Josh Marazzini, EIT 210.494.8004 210.494.8286 [email protected]

Treasurer Steve Renneker, PE 210.798.1895 210.798.1896 [email protected]

Trustee Sandra Gomez, PE 210.233.3483 210.233.4303 [email protected]

YP Representative Marcia Muñoz 210.494.8004 210.494.8286 [email protected]

Scholarships Chair Marisa Vergara, PE 210.494.8004 210.494.8286 [email protected]

Answer to puzzle on Page 13


UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Date Location Event Host Topic / Presenter

August 24-25, 2009 Austin Convention Center

Austin, TX WEAT CMOM Conference

August 28, 2009 Canyon Springs Golf Course

San Antonio, TX

South Central Texas

Water for People Chapter

Water For People

Golf Tournament

September 13-16, 2009 Sheraton

Seattle, WA WateReuse Association Annual WateReuse Symposium

September 17, 2009 SAWS Tower II

San Antonio, TX TAWWA

Medio Reclaimed

Pablo Martinez & Jonathan Vorheis

October 1, 2009 City of Austin

Waller Creek Center TAWWA Water for the Next Decade

October 10-14, 2009 Orlando, FL WEF WEFTEC

October 15, 2009 SAWS Tower II

San Antonio, TX WEAT

Change Orders During Construction

Carlos Fermint

December 2, 2009 Petroleum Club

San Antonio, TX TAWWA/WEAT

Annual Scholarship Dinner & Social

Alex Briseno

April 13-16, 2010 Texas Water TAWWA Corpus Christi

August 27-28, 2009 Embassy Suites

San Marcos, TX WEAT

Biosolids and Odor and

Corrosion Conference

ARE YOU RECEIVING THIS e-NEWSLETTER IN ERROR? PLEASE EMAIL MELISSA BRYANT ([email protected]) or JANA CEZEAUX ([email protected])

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