Area Wide Optimization Program

Area Wide Optimization Program

Individual Program

Background Information

2021

Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Official Recognition of AWOP

Please provide the AWOP start date and describe any official recognition of AWOP in agency

newsletters, web pages, awards programs, annual meetings, etc.

Officially started AWOP in 1997. Alabama implemented activities prior to officially starting AWOP. Prior

to 1997, the State had a goal of 0.2 NTU when the limit was 0.5 NTU and 0.5 NTU when the limit was 1.0

NTU.

In 2003, Alabama began issuing awards to water treatment plants that meet the turbidity optimization

goals.

In 1999, Alabama began holding a state wide “Surface Water Meeting” at which optimization activities

are discussed along with other pertinent topics.

In 2016, US EPA Region 4 started issuing congratulatory letters to water systems who had a water

treatment plant that met the turbidity optimization goals.

In 2019, AWOP was added to ADEM’s Drinking Water page which can be accessed at

http://adem.alabama.gov/programs/water/drinkingwater/awop.cnt.

Official Adoption of AWOP Goals

Please describe when and how AWOP goals were adopted by your agency and communicated to the

water systems.

AWOP goals have not been officially adopted by ADEM. However, parts of the goals were incorporated

into regulations for the construction of new water treatment plants or water treatment plants desiring

to increase their filtration rate. The program is supported by all levels of management, even though

AWOP is considered a voluntary program.

http://adem.alabama.gov/programs/water/drinkingwater/awop.cnt

Communication of AWOP to water systems is accomplished through on-site discussion (including AWOP

printouts) with water systems during their yearly inspection, presentations at various conferences and

meetings, presentation of Optimization Awards at the Annual Surface Water Meeting, a display at the

Alabama Rural Water Association’s Annual Conference, and through regular communication with water

systems.

National Optimization Goals adopted by your PWSS Program – Check all that apply:

(refer to Attachment I for descriptions of the NOLT optimization goals.)

Water Treatment Plants

Microbial (Turbidity): Raw Water_X___ Individual Settled_X___ CFE____ IFE__X__

Post BW w/FTW_X___ Post BW wo/FTW____ Disinfection (CT) _X___

DBPs (TTHM/HAA5): Plant Effluent__X__ Enhanced Coagulation__X__ Disinfection__X__

Chloramine Application: Ammonia Control____ Dosing (Chlorine & Ammonia) ____

Distribution Systems

Individual Site DBPs __X__ Long Term System DBPs_X___ Tank Operations_X___

Secondary Disinfection, Free Chlorine __X__

Secondary Disinfection, Chloramines (monochloramine, Ammonia & Nitrite) ____

Modifications to the national goals or other optimization goals utilized by your Agency:

Please describe any modified AWOP goals and/or any additional optimization goals adopted by your

agency and communicated to the water systems.

Microbial Goal Modifications:

• Raw water turbidity is required to be recorded at least every 2 hours or continuous if filtration rate is above 2.0 gpm/SQ FT.

• By regulation CFE is not allowed in Alabama.

• Disinfection is handled differently in Alabama. WTP’s have to meet a CT of 70. This is a worst case scenario for disinfection and only requires WTP’s to report the minimum free chlorine level leaving the WTP for each day.

• Chloramines are not utilized in Alabama in our community water systems. Disinfection Byproducts and TOC Modifications

• Alabama has adopted goals for the WTP effluent of 20 ppb for TTHMs and 15 ppb for HAA5. Monitoring of WTP effluent is mandatory.

• Total organic carbon goals are based on an annual WTP effluent of 1.7 mg/L or less. Alabama does not use the performance ratio for optimization purposes.

• Secondary disinfection is accomplished through the use of free chlorine, chloramines are not utilized.

• DBP monitoring is required at all master meters by the parent system. Ground water systems or systems with low DBPs can obtain a waiver.

• Joint OELs are required anytime a consecutive water system incurs a violation. All water systems from the point of production to consumption are required to complete the report and hold quarterly meetings until all water systems in the chain have returned to compliance.

Distribution System Modifications

• Water storage tanks should turn over in 4 days or less.

• pH of the distribution system should remain consistent (± 0.3 units) with the water leaving the producing WTP.

• Corrosion control should be implemented to minimize corrosion in the distribution system, especially to prevent changes of pH in the distribution system. No specific goals have been adopted as this area as it is currently under development.

Description of Current AWOP Team Members and Responsibilities

Please provide the name, position/title, description of AWOP duties and approximate FTE that each

team member spends on AWOP. Also indicate who serves as the AWOP team lead/point of contact.

Example: Nevel O. Meter, District Engineer, PBT trainer, ~ 0.3 FTE

(Note that if you submitted this information in 2015, that information is being provided and if there are

no changes, simply indicate “no change” in this section.)

1. William McClimans AWOP Team Leader; District Engineer; SWTR, DBPR and Laserfiche Coordinator, PBT Trainer

2. Laura Taylor Assistant AWOP Team Leader; System Inspector; CCR, PBT Trainer 3. Arshasmine Tellis System Inspector; Assistant SDWIS and Permit Database Coordinator; PBT Facilitator 4. Marc Chapman District Engineer; SRF & Grant Coordinator; PBT Facilitator 5. Aimee White District Engineer; PBT Facilitator; Permit Database Coordinator, RMP Coordinator 6. Jack Mobley District Engineer; PBT Facilitator, Lead and Copper Coordinator 7. Deja Collis District Engineer, 8. Robert Compton District Engineer, Cyanotoxin Lead 9. Brett Newton District Engineer

AWOP is considered a voluntary program and is in addition to required duties. Staff members use time management to provide time to conduct AWOP activities.

Description of Former AWOP Team Members:

Please provide the name of former AWOP team members, and their reason for leaving the team. This

information is for historical purposes and also to support networking as AWOP continues to expand.



1. Joe Alan Power Retired

2. Keith Lowery Retired

3. Charlie Davis Retired

4. Mark Anderson Transferred within ADEM

5. Benny Laughlin Other duties assigned.

6. Shannon Golden Transferred to ALDOT

7. Craig Holloway Transferred to Alabama Military Department, now back at ADEM in different division.

8. James Daily Transferred to SRF, now retired.

9. Tom Garrett Transferred to SRF, now retired.

10. Jim Ramsey Retired

11. William “Billy” Byars Left state government.

12. Chris Griffin Left state government.

13. Anthony Roberts Transferred within ADEM

14. Taylor Littleton Left state government.

Inventory of State-Wide Treatment Facilities1 Number

Rapid rate filtration treatment plants2,3

Utilizing static settling without tubes or plates 60

Utilizing static settling with tubes or plates 17

Utilizing sludge blanket clarification (upflow, pulsator) 1

Utilizing contact adsorption clarification 3

Utilizing sludge recirculation (including ballasted clarification) 1

Utilizing DAF, or other alternative clarification process 1

Utilizing direct/in-line filtration 8

Utilizing packaged filtration (package plants) 6

Slow sand filter plants 0

Diatomaceous earth filter plants 0

Membrane treatment plants 16

Bag or cartridge filtration plants 0

Primary disinfectant

Free chlorine 97

Chloramines 0

Ozone 0

UV 0

Secondary disinfectant

Free chlorine 97

Chloramines 0

1Limited to surface water treatment plants (includes surface, GUDI, blended sources).

2All surface water treatment plants, except cartridge, membrane and slow sand.

3When a plant utilizes multiple treatment processes or configurations identified below, please

include them all in this inventory, e.g., a package plant that utilizes a CAC will be included as a rapid

rate plant using CAC and packaged filtration.

AWOP Vision:

Please describe the vision for your AWOP

That every member of the AWOP team is capable of conducting/operate every part of the AWOP

program on their own or coordinate a larger group to carry out AWOP activities to help our water

systems provide the best possible water quality to their customers. To help achieve and maintain

compliance rates above 98%.

Status Component Implementation:

Please describe status component activities that are implemented in your agency, e.g., (are water

systems ranked according to public health risk and how is this information used; how is water system

data integrity ensured):

Water systems are ranked according to their performance in relation to the AWOP goals. The ranking

lists are used as a guide when deciding which water systems to target with AWOP assistance.

Data integrity is still an area where we need to do more work.

Targeted Performance Improvement (TPI) Implementation:

Please list all activities that are implemented as TPI activities in your state, e.g., CPEs, PBT,

Enhanced Sanitary Surveys, technical assistance, other): CPE, PBT, CTA, TTA, ESS, TA and anything else

we can come up with.

AWOP Maintenance Component Implementation:

Integrate

Please check the following areas where AWOP has been integrated into the PWSS Program:

Plan Reviews_X____ Permitting__X___ Capacity Development_____ Operator Training___X__

Technical Assistance__X___ DWSRF Prioritization_____ Enforcement_____ Sanitary Surveys_X_

Other(identify)________________________________________________________

Enhance

Please describe any AWOP enhancements that have been implemented in your program. One

example could include modifying status component criteria

Recently the turbidity ranking list was automated (as best as possible) to eliminate unnecessary time

by doing point calculation by hand. The point ranking list was redone to remove personal opinion

and allow for complete automation of score.

Sustain

Please describe any activities that you implement to sustain your agency’s AWOP. Some examples

could include efforts to promote and incentivize AWOP (e.g., publish regular newsletter, awards

program, AWOP participation = higher ranking for grant/loan funding, etc.).

Optimization presentations are given at different in state conferences.

ADEM each year issues awards to water systems who have met the microbial (turbidity) goals.

Lessons Learned:

Please list “lessons learned” that you feel would be helpful to other programs, e.g., how to build and

maintain internal support, how to integrate AWOP into your PWSS program, etc). If you are new to

AWOP, please list a question or concern you’d like to know more about.

One lesson learned is that water systems in PBT do better when their manager attends all the sessions

(not just first and last). These systems are more energized and willing to complete the work as they see

the benefit of the additional work.

One other lesson learned was that you can stratify water mains, even a 10-inch water main.

Attachment I: Optimization Goals Adopted by the NOLT

Category Goal Applies to Description

Microbial Minimum Data Monitoring Goal

Raw Water Turbidity

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants

― Record maximum daily raw water turbidity.

Microbial

Individual Sedimentation Basin

Performance and Monitoring

Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants

― Settled water turbidity ≤ 2 NTU in 95% of readings when the

annual average raw turbidity is > 10 NTU. Optimization is based

on the daily maximum values recorded from all readings.


annual average raw turbidity is ≤ 10 NTU. Optimization is based


― Record individual sedimentation basin effluent turbidity

readings at intervals of 4-hours or less if taking grab samples, or

15 minutes or less for continuous monitoring.

Microbial

Individual and Combined Filter


Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants

― Combined filter effluent turbidity ≤ 0.10 NTU in 95% of

readings. Optimization is based on the daily maximum values

recorded from all readings.

― Individual filter effluent turbidity ≤ 0.10 NTU in 95% of

readings (excluding 15-minute period following filter backwash).

Optimization is based on the daily maximum values recorded

from all readings.

―Post backwash individual filter effluent turbidity for filters

without filter-to-waste capability: Maximum individual filter

effluent turbidity following backwash ≤ 0.30 NTU and achieve ≤

0.10 NTU within 15 minutes.


with filter-to-waste capability: Minimize individual filter effluent

turbidity during filter-to-waste period and record maximum

value. Return the filter to service at ≤ 0.10 NTU.

― Record individual and combined filter effluent turbidity

readings at intervals of 1-minute or less for continuous

monitoring.

Microbial

Disinfection


Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants

―Meet CT requirements to achieve inactivation of Giardia and

viruses plus a system-specific factor of safety.

― Record disinfectant residual, temperature, and pH at

maximum daily flow for CT calculations.

Disinfection By-

Product

Plant Effluent Disinfection

Byproducts (DBPs)


Goals

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants

―System Specific Targets: Could be a discrete value or range

that is based on a running annual average. Recommended goal

value/range should be 30% to 50% of long term LRAA goals (e.g.,

20-30 ppb for TTHM, 15-20 ppb for HAA5).

―For systems in compliance with the TTHM and HAA5 MCLs,

collect quarterly plant effluent DBP samples; for systems not in

compliance, collect monthly plant effluent samples.

Disinfection By-

Product

Enhanced Coagulation


Goals

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants

―Meet Stage 1 D/DBP Rule TOC removal requirements for

enhanced coagulation, which are based on source water

alkalinity and TOC levels, or an alternative compliance criterion,

as a running annual average (RAA) of the performance ratio

(actual TOC removal/required TOC removal) plus a factor of

safety of 10% (or performance ratio ≥ 1.1).

―Collect monthly total organic carbon samples for raw and

treated water.

Disinfection By-

Product

Disinfection

Performance and Monitoring Goal

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants



―Record disinfection residual, temperature, and pH at

maximum daily flow for CT calculations (only applies to parent

systems).

Distribution

System

Disinfection Byproducts


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize any

Secondary

Disinfectant

―Individual Site Goal: Quarterly Maximum Locational Running

Annual Average TTHM/HAA5 values not to exceed 70/50 ppb.

―Long-Term System Goal: Average of Maximum Locational

Running Annual Average TTHM/HAA5 values not to exceed

60/40 ppb (the average of the last 8 quarters cannot exceed

60/40 ppb).


collect quarterly DBP samples at all compliance locations; for

systems not in compliance, collect monthly samples.

Free Chlorine

Distribution

System

Disinfection


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize Free

Chlorine as a

Secondary

Disinfectant

―Maintain ≥ 0.20 mg/L free chlorine residual at all monitoring

sites in the distribution system, at all times.

―Monitoring should be performed at least monthly, but more

frequently at critical times (i.e., summer months).

―Sample locations should include bacteriological and DBP

compliance sites, all distribution system entry points (e.g., plant

effluent, consecutive system connections), all tanks (preferably

while draining), and identified critical sites base on investigative

sampling (minimum of one critical site in each quadrant of the

system, four sites total).

Plants that

Utilize

Chloramine

Disinfection: Ammonia Control


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant

―Maintain a detectable free ammonia residual in the plant

effluent ≤ 0.10 mg/L as NH3-N.

―Monitor free ammonia at least once per day in the plant

effluent.

• The monitoring frequency may be adjusted based on the variability observed over an extended period of time.

• Free ammonia may be monitored in the source water periodically (e.g., once per week) to assess variability.

Plants that

Utilize

Chloramine

Operational Guideline

Chlorine and Ammonia Dosing

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant

―Maintain a chlorine-to-nitrogen mass ratio between 4.5:1 and

5.0:1 (or chlorine-to-ammonia mass ratio between 3.7:1 and

4.1:1), which should result in a detectable free ammonia in the

plant effluent that is ≤ 0.10 mg/L as NH3-N.

Chloramine

Distribution

System

Disinfection: Monochloramine

and Nitrification-Related

Parameters


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant

―Maintain ≥ 1.50 mg/L monochloramine residual at all

monitoring sites in the distribution system, at all times, to

provide a disinfection barrier against both microbial

contamination and nitrification prevention.

―Monitor monochloramine, free ammonia, and nitrite in the

distribution system and at the entry points (to establish a

baseline).

• Monochloramine and free ammonia should be monitored at all sample locations.

• Nitrite should be monitored at sample locations where monochloramine is ≤ 1.50 mg/L; nitrate may also be monitored, to further assess nitrification.

• Sample locations should include bacteriological and DBP compliance sites, all distribution system entry points (e.g., plant effluent, consecutive system connections), all tanks (preferably while draining), and identified critical sites base on investigative sampling (minimum of one critical site in each quadrant of the system, four sites total).

• Monitoring should be done at least monthly, but more frequently at critical times (e.g., summer months).

Distribution

System

Operational Guidelines

Tank Operations

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Contain

Storage

Tanks (any

secondary

disinfectant)

―Maintain an average turnover time < 5 days; or establish and

maintain a water turnover rate at each storage facility.

―Maintain good mixing (i.e., Performance Ratio ≥ 1) at all times;

for tanks where the PR cannot be calculated, adequate mixing

(i.e., uniform water quality) should be confirmed by alternate

means (e.g., tank profiling/water quality sampling).


Individual Program


2021

Name of Agency:




The Florida Area-Wide Optimization Program began in 2002. However, the program lapsed temporarily

before recently restarting following several reorganizations of staff.

Currently, Florida is in the process of rebuilding and developing a long-term outlook for the program.

We have created a new AWOP webpage for the FL Department of Environmental Protection’s website,

an AWOP Information SharePoint folder for primacy office staff, and we are in the process of initiating

quarterly meetings to be held following the R4 quarterly meetings.



water systems.

N/A



N/A


Microbial (Turbidity): Raw Water____ Individual Settled____ CFE____ IFE____

Post BW w/FTW____ Post BW wo/FTW____ Disinfection (CT) ____

DBPs (TTHM/HAA5): Plant Effluent____ Enhanced Coagulation____ Disinfection____



Individual Site DBPs ____ Long Term System DBPs____ Tank Operations____

Secondary Disinfection, Free Chlorine ____





N/A







10. AWOP Team Leader: Deirdre Thomas – Source and Drinking Water (SDW)

Environmental Consultant, AWOP Coordinator

11. Chris Melkun – SDW Environmental Specialist 12. Jamie Shakar – SDW Environmental Administrator

13. District DEP SDW Staff-Technical Assistance, Compliance and Enforcement

14. Approved County Health Department SDW Staff-Technical Assistance, Compliance and

Enforcement

15. Florida Rural Water Association Staff, SDW Technical Assistance






15. Jeffrey Lawson – left state government

16. John Pope – Retirement

17. Rich Cantin – Retirement

18. Joni Synatschk – left state government

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.


Rapid rate filtration treatment plants2,3 11

Utilizing static settling without tubes or plates N/A

Utilizing static settling with tubes or plates N/A

Utilizing sludge blanket clarification (upflow, pulsator) N/A

Utilizing contact adsorption clarification N/A


Utilizing DAF, or other alternative clarification process N/A


Utilizing packaged filtration (package plants) N/A



Membrane treatment plants N/A

Bag or cartridge filtration plants N/A


Free chlorine 4818

Chloramines 263

Ozone 31

UV 5


Free chlorine N/A

Chloramines N/A






AWOP Vision:


The vision for Florida’s AWOP is to ensure all water systems in the state are aware of the program, and

to achieve compliance improvements by being more proactive with our water systems and staff. This

will include continuing to attend workshops, training of staff, continual promoting of AWOP information

and tools to the water systems, as well as performing CPEs and PBTs within the next couple of years. By

becoming proficient in a few more of the basic AWOP elements, the plan is to implement a more well-

rounded program, consisting of regular state meetings, training sessions and ultimately an awards

program. We are also wanting to implement AWOP into our compliance and enforcement and sanitary

survey procedures. With these implementations, the intent is to achieve better compliance (i.e. DBPs)

within the state, and to continue to maintain that compliance.





N/A


Please list all activities that are implemented as TPI activities in your state, e.g., CPEs, PBT, Enhanced

Sanitary Surveys, technical assistance, other):

Currently in the planning stages of integrating AWOP into our sanitary survey protocols as well as

technical assistance from our rural water association staff.


Integrate


Plan Reviews_____ Permitting_____ Capacity Development_____ Operator Training_____

Technical Assistance_X__ DWSRF Prioritization_____ Enforcement_X__ Sanitary Surveys_X_ Other

(identify)________________________________________________________

Currently in the planning stages of integrating AWOP into our compliance & enforcement protocols

as well as Sanitary Surveys, and technical assistance from our rural water association staff.

Enhance



N/A

Sustain




N/A

Lessons Learned:




Florida is still considered to be new to the program since movement within AWOP has been slow due to

reorganization, new leadership and time constraints implementing the program. Questions: 1) What

techniques have states found most effective to integrate AWOP into their PWSS program? 2) Florida is

always interested in AWOP training opportunities, what additional trainings or workshops held by EPA

and TSC with the other Region 4 states will help train staff at our primacy offices?




Raw Water Turbidity

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants


Microbial



Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants










Microbial



Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants







from all readings.











monitoring.

Microbial

Disinfection


Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants





Disinfection By-

Product


Byproducts (DBPs)


Goals

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants





―Collect quarterly TTHM and HAA5 samples at the plant

effluent and distribution system compliance sites.

Disinfection By-

Product



Goals

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants








treated water (only applies to parent systems).

Disinfection By-

Product

Disinfection


Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants





systems).

Distribution

System



Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize any

Secondary

Disinfectant






60/40 ppb).




Free Chlorine

Distribution

System

Disinfection


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize Free

Chlorine as a

Secondary

Disinfectant











Plants that

Utilize

Chloramine



Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant




effluent.



Plants that

Utilize

Chloramine



Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant





Chloramine

Distribution

System



Parameters


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant







baseline).





Distribution

System


Tank Operations

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Contain

Storage

Tanks (any

secondary

disinfectant)








Kentucky

Individual Program


2021

Name of Agency:




The Kentucky AWOP began in 1998. Areas of recognition include AWOP certificate and award program

for microbial and DBP. Under normal circumstances, the certificates and awards are presented during

the annual Kentucky Water and Wastewater Operator Association (KWWOA) conference; however, due

to the COVID-19 pandemic they were mailed in 2020 and 2021 with some being hand-delivered in 2021.

Since presenting the awards at the conference was not an option the Agency did social media blasts

highlighting the systems and operators during Drinking Water Week. A blog post is published annually

highlighting the systems that received awards and certificates. The Kentucky Energy and Environment

Cabinet launched a new website in 2019 that includes an AWOP page (https://tinyurl.com/KYDWTA) and

the KY AWOP Story Map was launched in June 2020 (https://tinyurl.com/KYAWOP).



water systems.

Microbial AWOP goals were adopted during the establishment of the program in 1998 and were

communicated to water systems over time through one-on-one site visits, sanitary surveys, and CPEs.

DBP AWOP goals were adopted in 2011 and updated in 2018. To disseminate the program information

to the water systems AWOP flyers were mailed, presentations were delivered at the annual KWWOA

conference, and one-on-one site visits were conducted.



https://tinyurl.com/KYDWTA

https://tinyurl.com/KYAWOP

https://tinyurl.com/KYAWOP


Microbial (Turbidity): Raw Water____ Individual Settled_√___ CFE_√___ IFE_√___

Post BW w/FTW_√___ Post BW wo/FTW_√___ Disinfection (CT) _√___

DBPs (TTHM/HAA5): Plant Effluent_√___ Enhanced Coagulation_√___ Disinfection_√___

Chloramine Application: Ammonia Control_√___ Dosing (Chlorine & Ammonia) _√___


Individual Site DBPs _√___ Long Term System DBPs_√___ Tank Operations____

Secondary Disinfection, Free Chlorine _√___

Secondary Disinfection, Chloramines (monochloramine, Ammonia & Nitrite) __√__




Although all water systems are tracked and ranked, only water systems that formally commit to the

program and adopt AWOP goals are eligible for AWOP certificates and awards.







16. AWOP Team Leader: Jackie Logsdon, Environmental Scientist V, DW Technical

Assistance & AWOP—Madisonville & Paducah Regional Offices, AWOP Coordinator,

~0.75 FTE

17. CJ Bailey, Environmental Scientist V, DW Technical Assistance & AWOP—Columbia

& Bowling Green Regional Offices, ~0.5 FTE

18. Gabe Tanner, Environmental Scientist IV, DW Technical Assistance & AWOP—

Louisville & Frankfort Regional Offices, ~0.5 FTE

19. David Messer, Environmental Scientist V, DW Technical Assistance & AWOP—Hazard

& London Regional Offices, ~0.5 FTE

20. Vacant, Environmental Scientist III, DW Technical Assistance & AWOP—Florence &

Morehead Regional Offices, ~0.5 FTE

21. Joe Uliasz, Environmental Control Supervisor, Drinking Water Compliance and

Technical Assistance Section Supervisor






25. Roger Conn—Transfer within State Government

26. Tom Stern—Retirement

27. Jim Sproles—Retirement

28. Ed Fortner—Left State Government

29. Jim Hamon—Retirement

30. Noah Taylor—Transfer within Division

31. Linda Metts—Transfer within Section

32. Crystal Davis—Transfer within Branch

33. Julie Roney—Left State Government

34. Don DeKoster—Deceased

35. Russell Neal—Transfer within Division

36. Brian Chitti—Left KY State Government to work for OH State Government

37. Eric Sutton—Transfer within Section

38. Jenna Hammond—Left State Government
















Free chlorine 144

Chloramines 0

Ozone 0

UV 0


Free chlorine 128

Chloramines 16






AWOP Vision:


The short-term vision for the KY AWOP is to ensure new personnel are adequately trained and CPE

certified, provide Targeted Technical Assistance (TTA) to water plant personnel to optimize TOC

removal, and continue to provide TTA to consecutive systems to optimize distribution systems. In the

long term, the intent is to maintain the high level of compliance with the Stage II DBPR that has been

achieved and return some focus back to optimization (both microbial and DBP) and AWOP integration

throughout other areas of the KY PWSS.





Each surface water treatment plant is tracked for all adopted turbidity goals and ranked according to

public health risk. This information is used to determine needed technical assistance (CPE, PBT, TTA,

etc.). To ensure data integrity, AWOP personnel and DOW inspectors have received data integrity

training provided by TSC. During sanitary surveys, routine inspections, TTA, CPE, site visits, etc., data

integrity may be evaluated.



Sanitary Surveys, technical assistance, other): CPE, PBT, TTA, DSO


Integrate


Plan Reviews_____ Permitting_____ Capacity Development_√____ Operator Training_√____

Technical Assistance_√____ DWSRF Prioritization_____ Enforcement_√____ Sanitary Surveys_√___

Other (identify)______________________________________________________

Enhance



The Enforcement Targeting Tool (ETT) is used to identify systems that need technical assistance. This

helps with integrating AWOP into compliance and enforcement activities.

Sustain




Each year systems that have committed to AWOP and met all the goals receive a certificate and two

systems receive an award (award is based on three years of performance and compliance). Pre-

pandemic, the certificates and awards were presented during the KWWOA conference—the most

attended conference in KY by operators; mid-pandemic social media was used to highlight systems’

achievements; post-pandemic we plan to implement a combination of in-person presentation at the

conference and social media recognition. Soon after, an annual AWOP blog post is published

recognizing each system that received a certificate/award and includes details of the program.

Lessons Learned:




We found that integrating AWOP into the compliance and enforcement processes strengthened internal

support and improved compliance. Using the ETT score helps to put the focus on systems that are close

to experiencing compliance issues, are already out of compliance, have been referred to enforcement,

or are actively under an agreed order. AWOP tools, such as TTA, CPE, PBT, and Modular DSO Training,

are utilized for compliance assistance, particularly with DBPs. We have found that since systems need

the support and tools AWOP has to offer, the program becomes less “voluntary”.




Raw Water Turbidity

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants


Microbial



Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants










Microbial



Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants







from all readings.











monitoring.

Microbial

Disinfection


Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants





Disinfection By-

Product


Byproducts (DBPs)


Goals

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants







Disinfection By-

Product



Goals

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants









Disinfection By-

Product

Disinfection


Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants





systems).

Distribution

System



Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize any

Secondary

Disinfectant






60/40 ppb).




Free Chlorine

Distribution

System

Disinfection


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize Free

Chlorine as a

Secondary

Disinfectant











Plants that

Utilize

Chloramine



Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant




effluent.



Plants that

Utilize

Chloramine



Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant





Chloramine

Distribution

System



Parameters


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant







baseline).





Distribution

System


Tank Operations

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Contain

Storage

Tanks (any

secondary

disinfectant)








North Carolina

Individual Program


2021

Name of Agency:

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

Division of Water Resources / Public Water Supply Section




NC’s Program was started in late 1999. The Public Water Supply Section maintains a webpage

(http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/drinking-water/area-wide-optimization-

program) that describes AWOP and contains links to our annual report, spreadsheet tools, and

instructional videos. Microbial Turbidity Awards are presented annually to water treatment

plants that meet the microbial goals.



water systems.

AWOP goals are discussed by the NC AWOP team and then further reviewed by Public Water

Supply Section management staff for formal adoption. Information about adopted goals can be

located on the NC AWOP webpage. The NC AWOP Team and Public Water Supply Section staff

discuss AWOP goals with water systems during sanitary surveys or site visits. Staff may also

periodically discuss AWOP activities at NCWOA regional section meetings. Microbial turbidity

goals for raw water, individual settled, CFE, and IFE were adopted at the start of program in late

1999. Distribution system disinfection byproducts goals for individual sampling sites and long-

term system goals were adopted in 2013.




http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/drinking-water/area-wide-optimization-program

http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/drinking-water/area-wide-optimization-program

Microbial (Turbidity): Raw Water_X_ Individual Settled_X__ CFE__X_ IFE__X_

Post BW w/FTW__X_ Post BW wo/FTW____ Disinfection (CT) __X_

DBPs (TTHM/HAA5): Plant Effluent____ Enhanced Coagulation____ Disinfection____



Individual Site DBPs __X_ Long Term System DBPs__X_ Tank Operations____

Secondary Disinfection, Free Chlorine ____





NA







22. AWOP Team Leader: Eric Hudson P.E., Regional Engineer/Supervisor, ~ 0.20 FTE

23. Rebecca Sadosky PHD, Drinking Water Protection Program Coordinator, Security and Emergency Management Contact, Program Statistical Advisor, Past AWOP Team Leader, CPE Certified, ~ 0.05 FTE

24. Kimberly Barnett, Regional Engineer/Supervisor, Regional Technical Advisor, ~ 0.05 FTE 25. Mark Hahn, Environmental Senior Specialist, Regional Technical Adviser, DBP PBT

Facilitator Past AWOP Team Leader, CPE Certified, ~ 0.05 FTE 26. Turner Morrison, Environmental Engineer, Disinfection Byproducts Rule Manager, ~0.05

FTE 27. Clif Whitfield P.G., Engineering Associate, Regional Technical Advisor, DBP PBT

Facilitator, ~ 0.05 FTE 28. Brad Whitman, Environmental Engineer, Central Office Technical Advisor, ~0.05 FTE 29. Tommy Overby, Environmental Senior Specialist, Regional Technical Adviser, ~ 0.05 FTE 30. Meredith Guglielmi, Assistant Regional Engineer, Regional Technical Advisor, ~ 0.05 FTE 31. Emily Lester, Environmental Engineer, Surface Water Rule Manager, ~0.05 FTE 32. Nicole Hairston, Environmental Senior Specialist, Regional Technical Adviser, ~ 0.05 FTE






39. Fred Hill, 1999 to 2008, Retirement 40. Ray McCall, 1999 to 2010, Retirement 41. Sandy O’Daniel, 1999 to 2006, Left State Service 42. Terry Gross, 2000 to 2002, Retirement 43. Jim Adams, 2000 to 2014, Retirement 44. Bobby Whisnant, 2002 to 2004, Left State Service 45. Jeff Bryan, 2002 to 2005, Transitioned to other job duties 46. Barry Aderton, 2003 to 2004, Left State Service 47. Brad Cole, 2004 to 2006, Left State Service 48. Lisa Edwards, 2006 to 2014, Filled another state position 49. David Tawes, 2006 to 2008, Left State Service 50. Mike Hicks, 2006 to 2007, Transitioned to other job duties 51. Clinton Cook, 2009 to 2014, Transitioned to other job duties 52. Steve Proctor, 2009 to 2014, Transitioned to other job duties 53. Forina Brown, 2013 to 2015, Left State Service

54. Chandler Warner, 2014 to 2014, Filled another state position 55. Julia Cavalier, 2006 to 2016, Transitioned to other job duties 56. Shawn Guyer, 2013 to 2016, Transitioned to other job duties 57. Keri Cantrell, 2014-2015, Left State Service 58. Paul Judge, 2014-2015, Left State Service - deceased 59. Tom Boyd, 2007-2017, Retirement 60. Andrew Jarman, 2014-2018, Transition to other job duties 61. Don Price, 2014 to 2019, Retirement 62. Tiffanie Hawley, 2016-2018, Left State Service 63. Lauren Plummer, 2018-2020, Filled another state position
















Free chlorine 146

Chloramines 0

Ozone 3

UV 0


Free chlorine 107

Chloramines 42






AWOP Vision:


The NC AWOP Program provides technical assistance so water systems can improve and

optimize water quality. We have developed ranking tools to identify water systems that may

benefit from AWOP.





The PWS Section’s microbial and turbidity plant ranking scores were revised in 2014 to better

reflect which systems are struggling with violations and higher finished water turbidities.

Emphasis was placed on both violations and finished water turbidity, as these two parameters

most directly affect public health, and therefore are of greatest concern. For example, the

average monthly finished water turbidity for a system is multiplied by 100, while the average

settled turbidity is only multiplied by 3.16, giving the finished water turbidity more weight than

the settled water turbidity in the revised ranking scores. The lower the water plant’s ranking

score, the better their performance on turbidity and microbial indicators.

Disinfection byproducts present a significant challenge to water systems in North Carolina. The

NC AWOP bases its prioritization for DBPs on locational running annual averages (LRAA) of total

trihalomethanes (TTHM) and haloacetic acids (HAA5). DBP performance data is evaluated for

surface water and surface water purchase systems required to sample for DBPs.




CPEs and Technical Assistance


Integrate


Plan Reviews_____ Permitting_____ Capacity Development_____ Operator Training__X__

Technical Assistance__X__ DWSRF Prioritization_____ Enforcement_____ Sanitary Surveys____

Other(identify)________________________________________________________

Enhance



_______________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Sustain




In 2020, the NC AWOP had twelve staff participants from the PWS Section who worked to

sustain the program by participating in varying activities such as, evaluating system capabilities

and providing technical training to systems. The PWS Section issues annual certificates to

facilities that meet the AWOP optimization goals for settled and finished water turbidity. The

awards reflect the number of years that a plant has achieved optimized status and may also

include special recognition for plants that have received the award for 10 consecutive years or

more. In many communities, the achievement of the AWOP goals and certificate award has

been reported by the local media. The NC Department of Environmental Quality issues a press

release recognizing the water systems for winning the award and surpassing federal and state

drinking water standards. AWOP Team members and Public Water Supply staff often present

awards at NCWOA / NC AWWA-WEA events or local meetings with the water systems’

governing bodies. NC AWOP team members participate in EPA Region 4 AWOP meetings and

activities to further our knowledge, experience and understanding of the AWOP philosophies.

Funding has been made available for the purchasing of equipment and for traveling to meetings

or conducting optimization activities.

Lessons Learned:




It is important to quantify benefits and results of AWOP activities to be able to justify staff

involvement. Additionally, if plant personnel and management have not “bought in” to the

AWOP, then the benefits of the AWOP may not be fully realized.

Participating in a multi-state CPE is a great way to get AWOP experience. In addition, it

facilitates discussion with colleagues to share experiences on improving water treatment and

water quality.

Conducting special studies (e.g. hold studies, tank assessment, distribution mapping with

hydrant sampler) provide training opportunities for staff to gain experience using AWOP tools.

Providing a professionally printed and framed AWOP award instills pride and may motive

surrounding water systems to seek the award. Posting pictures of award presentations on

agency social media is a great way to build awareness.




Raw Water Turbidity

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants


Microbial



Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants










Microbial



Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants







from all readings.











monitoring.

Microbial

Disinfection


Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants





Disinfection By-

Product


Byproducts (DBPs)


Goals

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants







Disinfection By-

Product



Goals

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants









Disinfection By-

Product

Disinfection


Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants





systems).

Distribution

System



Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize any

Secondary

Disinfectant






60/40 ppb).




Free Chlorine

Distribution

System

Disinfection


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize Free

Chlorine as a

Secondary

Disinfectant











Plants that

Utilize

Chloramine



Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant




effluent.



Plants that

Utilize

Chloramine



Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant





Chloramine

Distribution

System



Parameters


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant







baseline).





Distribution

System


Tank Operations

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Contain

Storage

Tanks (any

secondary

disinfectant)








EPA Region 4

Individual Program


2021

Name of Agency: EPA Region 4




EPA Region 4 established its Multi-State AWOP in 1998.

In 2001, the Region 4 AWOP received the inaugural “Innovations in Water Management Division

Award” for its role in ensuring safe drinking water.

In 2014, Region 4’s AWOP earned mention in the EPA Administrator’s blog upon being selected as a

“High Five Highlight” under the Agency’s “Aim High” Campaign for Protecting Water.



water systems.

EPA’s microbial, DBP, and other distribution system goals are those established by the National

Optimization Leadership Team (NOLT) – comprised of EPA’s Drinking Water Technical Support Center,

EPA Regional Offices participating in AWOP (including Region 4), and ASDWA.

In 1998, EPA Region 4 communicated microbial AWOP goals by letter to the one (1) surface water

system for which the Region has direct regulatory jurisdiction. Applicable DBP and distribution goals

have been communicated to the system through presentations at meetings and through electronic

communication as these goals are developed and refined by NOLT.




Microbial (Turbidity): Raw Water__√__ Individual Settled_√___ CFE__√__ IFE__√__

Post BW w/FTW_√__ Post BW wo/FTW__√__ Disinfection (CT) __√__

DBPs (TTHM/HAA5): Plant Effluent__√__ Enhanced Coagulation__√__ Disinfection_ √__

Chloramine Application: Ammonia Control__√_ Dosing (Chlorine & Ammonia) __√__


Individual Site DBPs __√_ Long Term System DBPs__√__ Tank Operations__√__

Secondary Disinfection, Free Chlorine __√__

Secondary Disinfection, Chloramines (monochloramine, Ammonia & Nitrite) __√___




N/A







33. AWOP Team Leader: Janine Morris, Environmental Engineer (~ 0.1 FTE)

34. Robert Burns, Environmental Engineer (~ 0.1 FTE)

35. Dale Froneberger, Environmental Scientist (~ 0.1 FTE)

36. Dominique Smith, Life Scientist (~ 0.1 FTE)

37. Emma Inhorn, Environmental Engineer (~ 0.1 FTE)

38. Ashley Aspinwall-Barron, Life Scientist (~ 0.1 FTE)






64. Vivian Doyle – Transferred from Drinking Water Program

65. David Parker – Promoted to Management Position

66. Pamela Riley – Workload Constraints

67. Brian Smith – Promoted to Management Position

68. Renea Hall - Workload Constraints
















Free chlorine 0

Chloramines 0

Ozone 0

UV 1


Free chlorine 1

Chloramines 0






AWOP Vision:


Short-Term Vision: Achieve and document progress in reducing DBP non-compliance and progress in

meeting microbial optimization goals among water systems in Region 4 through the application of

AWOP tools.

Long-Term Vision: Sustain and expand Region 4’s AWOP network by ensuring that the program

continues to succeed in helping meet the public health protection and drinking water quality needs of

water systems, states, and EPA.





Region 4 has only one (1) surface water system under its direct regulatory jurisdiction, and it tracks the

performance of this system with respect to microbial and DBP optimization goals.




Region 4 has applied numerous TPI tools to the one surface water system under its direct regulatory

jurisdiction, including: (1) microbial CPE; (2) microbial PBT; (3) and targeted technical assistance in

areas such as filter profiling, Enhanced Terminal Subfluidization Wash (ETSW), chlorine mapping for

design of a unidirectional flushing program, and data integrity.

Region 4’s AWOP Team places top priority on its role in facilitating Multi-State Planning Meetings,

participating in National Optimization Leadership Team (NOLT) meetings, and building awareness of the

program. Building awareness is typically carried out by preparing and transmitting congratulatory letters

(at the request of a state) to water system meeting a state’s optimization goals, by delivering remarks

about the program at water system AWOP award ceremonies hosted by states, and by delivering AWOP-

related presentations at drinking program meetings and workshops attended by EPA and states.


Integrate


Plan Reviews_____ Permitting_____ Capacity Development__√___ Operator Training__√___

Technical Assistance__√___ DWSRF Prioritization_____ Enforcement_____ Sanitary Surveys____

Other(identify)________________________________________________________

Enhance

Please describe any AWOP enhancements that have been implemented in your program. One example

could include modifying status component criteria

N/A

Sustain




Region 4 strives to identify and communicate connections between AWOP and statutorily- and

regulatory-driven elements of the drinking water program and other EPA strategic priorities, so that

states – and in turn water systems – will maintain strong incentive for fulfilling their role in the

National AWOP Network.

Lessons Learned:




There is significant variability in the way that Region 4 and AWOP states report water systems as

meeting DBP optimization goals for a given year, which translates to challenges in compiling consistent

and meaningful Region-wide performance summary data for this component of the program.

Region 4 and its states continue to prepare to conduct Multi-State AWOP meetings and events via virtual

platforms. Experiences show that while not ideal, available platforms can be effective for applying some

AWOP tools, facilitating meetings, and maintaining overall continuity of program operations during a

prolonged period of restrictions on travel and in-person gatherings. Regional AWOP meetings held

during 2020 and 2021 have included discussions of ways to incorporate virtual platforms into future post-

pandemic meetings to increase accessibility and inclusion.




Raw Water Turbidity

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants


Microbial



Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants










Microbial



Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants







from all readings.











monitoring.

Microbial

Disinfection


Goals

Rapid Rate

Filtration

Plants





Disinfection By-

Product


Byproducts (DBPs)


Goals

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants







Disinfection By-

Product



Goals

Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants









Disinfection By-

Product

Disinfection


Surface

Water and

Groundwater

Under the

Direct

Influence of

Surface

Water Plants





systems).

Distribution

System



Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize any

Secondary

Disinfectant






60/40 ppb).




Free Chlorine

Distribution

System

Disinfection


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize Free

Chlorine as a

Secondary

Disinfectant











Plants that

Utilize

Chloramine



Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant




effluent.



Plants that

Utilize

Chloramine



Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant





Chloramine

Distribution

System



Parameters


Goals

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Utilize

Chloramine

as a

Secondary

Disinfectant







baseline).





Distribution

System


Tank Operations

Parent and

Consecutive

Water

Systems that

Contain

Storage

Tanks (any

secondary

disinfectant)







Documents

Area Wide Optimization Program