American Water Works Assn.

Assessment of arsenic treatment residuals; analysis and stabilization techniques.

This report documents a research project on establishing safe and inexpensive methods of post-treatment and disposal for arsenic- containing residuals. The report begins with a general physical and chemical characterization of arsenic-contaminated residuals from water treatment processes, covering both well-characterized, laboratory- produced arsenic-treatment residuals, as well as utility and pilot study specimens. Next, factors impacting the release of arsenic from the residuals are defined, and low cost methods for binding arsenic to a variety of residuals are evaluated. Kramer is affiliated with Texas A&M University. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Assessment of non-uniform corrosion in copper piping.

Presented by members of the American Water Works Association Research Foundation, this report on non-uniform corrosion in copper piping assesses the causes of pinhole leaks in communities by analyzing 30 years of data from the Copper Development Association (CDA). Written for corrosion experts, water utility engineers and professional plumbers, this volume explores the link between pinhole leaks and plumbing material selection, the incidence and costs of these leaks in drinking water plumbing and the industry's willingness to improve materials to combat these issues. Appendices include failure rates according to corrosion mechanisms and material types, expert opinions, utility surveys and inflation coefficients. A CD-ROM is included with the full set of responses from the survey data. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Chemical feed field guide for treatment plant operators; calculations and systems.

Written for operating personnel in water treatment plants, this field guide summarizes all of the steps needed to perform the chemical feed procedures required to remove contaminants and meet health regulations. Lauer (senior technical services engineer, AWWA), Barsotti (director of water quality, Champlain Water District, Vermont) and Hardy (manager, Utah Valley Water Treatment Plant) include the most common and effective solutions for these procedures as well as the precise equations that will allow practitioners to simply plug in numbers for quick results. Operations tips are included in each chapter to highlight points that will save time, and "table tamer" sidebars are provided to simplify some of the more complex calculations. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Comparing nanofiltration and reverse osmosis for treating recycled water.

Specialists at the Colorado School of Mines, the UNESCO institute for water education in The Netherlands, Separation Processes, Inc. in Carlsbad, and the West Basin Water Recycling plant in El Segundo, California, together with graduate students at the U. of Colorado-Boulder carried out this study on the use of membranes to treat surface water. Based on a study of methods used at the West Basin municipal water district and the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, the project examines whether NF and ULPRO membranes can meet potable water quality requirements and whether these membranes compare to thin-film composite RO membranes. One goal of the research presented is to develop findings that would help predict rejection of organic micropollutants from all three types of membranes. The volume concludes with several appendices and a list of references. It is not indexed. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Contribution of wastewater to DBP formation.

This substantial study offers analysis of a survey of wastewater treatment plants, including some in California, Colorado, New Jersey, and Arizona, of the discharges they contributed into water supplies of disinfection by-products (DBPs). The analysis examines whether the wastewater treatment plants contribute more DBPs than the upstream source water, the concentration and type of DBPs released, their ultimate destination, and how they differ from DBPs elsewhere. Methodology and experimental platforms and the impact of wastewater treatment on water quality are discussed in initial chapters. The authors offer conclusions and suggestions for future research. Appendices are included that present models of the fate and transport of DBPs, the formation of nitrosamines, and best management practices for receiving waters in order to avoid DBPs in drinking water. A list of references is included; the volume is not indexed. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Ductile-iron pipe and fittings, 3d ed.

Written for designers, managers and operators of water distribution systems, this manual contains all the technical specifications and applications information regarding ductile-iron pipes and fittings. Produced and edited by the American Water Works Association, this reference volume provides a complete survey of best practices regarding applicable standards, manufacturing and testing, design, pipe joint and fitting specifications, thrust restraint design, interior linings and hydraulics, external corrosion protection, installation and purchasing guidelines. An appendix includes illustrations of all the proprietary joints for ductile-iron pipes and fittings. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Estimating benefits of regional solutions for water and wastewater service.

This report describes research on water and wastewater services in about half of the 40 utilities of the Lehigh Valley of Eastern Pennsylvania, a region of urban and rural communities home to about 600,000 people. The research sought to demonstrate a method of quantifying the potential benefits of regional collaboration between municipal utilities. Spreadsheet models are presented to project the finances of typical small, medium, and large water and wastewater utilities. A separate set of models is developed for utilities that obtain treatment capacity as a wholesale customer of another utility while owning and operating only their distribution or collections systems. The study recommends that dramatic savings could be achieved through improved planning and financial and workforce management. This research project follows up on prior research calling for a new paradigm to evaluate regional collaboration. The authors are consultants in the private sector. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Failure of prestressed concrete cylinder pipe. (foldout diagram included)

Based on a study co-sponsored by Awwa Research Foundation and the Bureau of Reclamation carried out at the end of the 1980s but never published, together with a new survey of 592 prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) failures in 35 states and the District of Columbia, this volume is the definitive reference on the topic. The history of PCCP, including changes in pipe and material standards and its performance are discussed in initial chapters. Subsequent chapters examine the types and results of assessment methods and methods for predicting service life. The volume includes a glossary and bibliography, many pages of graphs and tables, and a foldout PCCP failure timeline. Lacks an index. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Field computing applications and wireless technologies for water utilities.

A sponsored study from the Awwa Research Foundation's Tailored Collaboration program, this report evaluates the ability of field computing applications and wireless technologies to measurably improve service and enhance operating efficiency and recommends ways utilities in the drinking water sector can identify, prioritize, and implement these applications and technologies to save on costs and improve asset maintenance, resource productivity, and customer services. It outlines key work practices performed by mobile utility and field service professionals; recent developments in field computing applications, devices, and network technologies, including geographic information systems and wireless networks; and the emerging information technology market for mobile resource management solutions. Five water utility case studies are included to illustrate existing field computing and wireless implementations, demonstrate associated operational and service improvements, identify areas for further utilization of field computing and wireless technologies, and conduct a return-on-investment analysis. There is no index. A CD is included. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Host cell capture-quantitative sequence detection of potentially infectious viruses.

Enteric viruses are routinely detected in raw sewage, surface waters, and groundwater, and have the greatest infectivity among waterborne pathogens and outbreaks of illness due to contaminated water. This report describes research on a new method, referred to as host cell capture quantitative sequence detection (HCC-QSD), for detecting infectious waterborne viruses, and its potential for integration with current virus concentration, cell culture, and PCR-based detection strategies. Material is in sections on evaluation of different host cell lines for the capture of enteric viruses and optimization of capture conditions, HCC-QSD of viruses and evaluation of standard and advanced nucleic acid purification methods, and evaluation of HCC-QSD to distinguish potentially infectious viruses from chlorine- and UV-inactivated viruses. Giovanni is affiliated with Texas AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Improved mycobacterium avium complex detection methods.

Prepared by a team of authors from the U. of Wisconsin's School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, this report was produced with the intention of identifying improved methods for detecting the presence in water supplies of mycobacteria of the M. avium complex (MAC), an environmental opportunistic mycobacteria commonly associated with human disease. The authors evaluate liquid culture methods for growth of MAC isolates exposed to stress conditions similar to those encountered in the environment and during water treatment processes, discuss optimization of water filtration and elution methods, assess the effect of decontamination methods on the growth of MAC isolates and potential microbial contaminants in finished water, identify anti-MAC antibodies most likely to be successful for immunomagnetic separation (IMS) concentration, evaluate newly-developed IMS bead constructs for selective MAC concentration, discuss the establishment and evaluation of real time capacity for a validated multiplex liquid culture and genetic analysis of MAC species, and describe evaluation methods of detecting surface-associated and planktonic water habituated MAC. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Let's talk safety; a series 52 talks on common utility safety practices 2009. (CD-ROM included)

Designed for managers and supervisors of water treatment facilities who must conduct weekly safety meetings, this guide offers 52 talks that illustrate common utility safety practices in the workplace. Presented by the editorial staff at the American Water Works Association, this volume covers such safety issues as proper jackhammer use, pipe cutting techniques, the use of personal protection equipment and gate valve procedures. General safety tips are also delivered on such topics as hypothermia, safe driving skills and dealing with outdoor pests such as ticks, mosquitoes and snakes that may be encountered on the job. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Math for wastewater treatment operators grades 1 and 2; a guide to preparing for wastewater treatment operator certification exams.

Designed for wastewater operators and students trying to pass Grade 1 and Grade 2 certification exams, this guide covers all of the mathematics problems commonly encountered on the job. Giorgi has written many instructional guides for the American Water Works Association in the past, and he includes tutorials on common conversion problems, percent calculations, specific gravity, volume and density, statistical concepts and other types of calculations. Appendices include common conversion factors, summaries of wastewater treatment equations, chemistry tables, depth/diameter tables, wastewater flow chart diagrams and abbreviations. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Molecular methods for microsporidia detection; use of an inhibitor control with real-time PCR.

This report from the American Water Works Association summarizes the results of a nucleic acid extraction method for microsporidia designated on the EPA's Candidate Contaminant List (CCL). Prepared by Wolk (clinical microbiology, U. of Arizona-Tucson), Sturbaum (President/Secretary, CH Diagnostic and Consulting Service), Hoffman (advanced microbiologist, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene), Sterling (medicine, microbiology and immunology, U. of Arizona-Tucson) and Marshall (veterinary science and microbiology, U. of Arizona-Tucson), this volume provides a background for the use of real-time polymerase chain reactions before outlining the methods, materials, results and discussion of the project. The authors offer specific recommendations for managers and engineers in water treatment plants and utilities based upon these results. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Natural organic matter fouling of low-pressure membrane systems.

This project summary from the American Water Works Association evaluates newer types of low-pressure membrane systems used for filtration systems by identifying and quantifying NOM foulants in order to distinguish between chemically reversible and irreversible contamination. Written for engineers and plant managers of water treatment facilities, this study describes several tests for different types of feed water characteristics and how well these membranes prevented fouling. Statistical analysis of the filtration results is presented, including UMFI comparatibility and scale-up, applications to utilities and recommendations for the future. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Reservoir management strategies for control and degradation of algal toxins.

Based on studies carried out in reservoirs in Australia and the US, this volume presents a detailed report and analysis on the production of cyanobacterial toxin and its biodegradation and how this knowledge can be applied to reservoir management to control toxin production. Following a review of the literature and a detailed description of the ecology of Cylindrospermopsis reciborskii, the volume presents methods, results, and discussion of studies carried out in natural waters and in laboratory settings, and the creation of models and their applications in reservoirs. A concluding chapter presents detailed factsheets on all aspects of the process. A chapter of recommendations and bibliography are provided. The volume is not indexed. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

A simulation tool to assess contaminant warning system sensor performance characteristics.

Prepared by Einfield (sensor development, Sandia National Laboratories), McKenna (geohydrology, Sandia National Laboratories) and Wilson (GRAM and Associates), this report co-sponsored by the AWWA and Sandia National Laboratories investigates the use of a simulation tool to evaluate the performance of contaminant warning system sensors for water treatment plants. Written for engineers and plant managers, this monograph describes the key sensor performance parameters of these methods before outlining the experimental methods used in the study. Appendices include graphs of all the simulations and technical descriptions of the change detection algorithms. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Water audits and loss control programs, 3d ed.

This guide to best practices for water audits and loss control programs, provided by the American Water Works Association, is designed for engineers and plant managers who need to maintain water supplies while meeting standards of water conservation. Now in its third edition, this reference contains three times the material as the last version and includes new chapters on apparent loss, real loss, revenue recovery, leak detection, small systems and funding. Appendices include AWWA blank forms, assessment tools for water resource management, case studies and the AWWA's free water audit software. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)