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LABS SEWER LEAKS – February 2009 www.labsofcwea.com
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February 2009 SEWER LEAKS – A Los Angeles Basin Section of the
CWEA Publication
Top Left: The Water Drop cheering on hikers at Water for People
Hike-a-thon. Top Right: Organizers of Water for People
Hike-a-thon.
Below: LABS 2008 Annual Awards Dinner
In This Issue: ----- LABS 2008 Annual Awards Dinner by Wendy
Wert & Alec Mackie -----
----- Water for People by Mischelle Mische ----- ----- CWEA Odor
Control Conference and Water News -----
----- See Page 7 for LABS March Dinner Meeting Announcement
-----
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LABS SEWER LEAKS – February 2009 www.labsofcwea.com
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LABS 2008 Annual Awards Dinner By Wendy Wert & Alec Mackie
The art-deco splendor of the Queen Mary’s opulent Royal Salon
played host to the 2008 LABS Awards Banquet. This annual event
honors exceptional achievements by local talent in the water and
wastewater industry. This celebration on January 10th began with
the class befitting its venue with an energized social gathering of
nearly 70 LABS and CWEA leaders, members, award winners and
friends. CWEA President Dave Greenwood gave an inspirational speech
infusing the crowd with CWEA’s big audacious goal of “having the
public value wastewater professionals as partners in protecting the
water environment.” Highlighting specific steps taken in 2008 and
planned for 2009 to reach this lofty objective, Dave emphasized the
importance of both state level actions such as the release of the
“Building the Wastewater Utility Brand” handbook (available at no
cost to CWEA members), and local actions such as annual local
section awards that encourage the drive for excellence and superior
effort. Following Dave’s speech, LABS President and Master of
Ceremonies, Patrick Griffith kicked-off the awards ceremony with
LABS Past-President Pei-Chin Low presenting the 2008 awards to the
winners. A wide range of people and projects were honored for
reflecting the professionalism and innovation within the Los
Angeles wastewater treatment community. The City of Los Angeles was
honored with four awards, prompting Enrique C. Zaldivar, Director
of the City's Bureau of Sanitation to comment, "These awards
underscore the City's commitment to the delivery of wastewater
conveyance and treatment that protects public health and the
environment as well as the city's dedication to public engagement
that involves the next generation of residents in environmental
stewardship. The City has invested nearly $2 billion in its
wastewater collection infrastructure in the last 20 years and will
invest an additional $2.3 billion in the next ten. We are proud to
serve the residents of the City of Los Angeles and express our
appreciation to LABS for its recognitions and awards." Awards were
handed out in the following categories:
2008 LABS Awards Banquet attendees socialize at the Queen Mary
Royal Salon
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LABS SEWER LEAKS – February 2009 www.labsofcwea.com
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The Collection System of the Year Award Over 500 Miles went to
the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation
(LA City BOS). Approximately 300 employees in the LA Collection
System O&M Division operate and maintain this 6,600 mile
collection system. Overseeing such a mammoth system requires the
expertise and energy of many talented professionals, which added up
to 600,000 work hours from July 2007 through June 2008. The LA City
BOS has reduced 70% of overflows from 2000 to 2007.
The Engineering Achievement Award went to the Los Angeles County
Sanitation Districts (LACSD) for their Advancing Water Reuse in the
Antelope Valley, a Basin-Wide Approach. LACSD adopted a
comprehensive approach to advance water reuse, protect local water
resources, promote sustainability, limit greenhouse gas production
and provide flexibility for future growth. The P3S Person of the
Year Award went to Pretti Ghuman, Civil Engineer with LACSD. Preeti
was presented with this award by P3S chair Bill Garrett who
acknowledged her instrumental management of the multi-million
dollar Santa Clarity Valley Sanitation Districts Automated Water
Softener Rebate Program and its public outreach. The Public
Education Award, Large Budget went to the LA City BOS, Kids in
Action: Students Tackle Stormwater Pollution. This program teaches
students how their actions impact their neighborhood. An innovative
feature of this program is the use of high school students to teach
elementary students. The LA City BOS Glendale and Tillman WRPs were
acknowledged for their safety programs, respectively winning the
small and medium plant
Left: Jon Ganz of LACSD accepting the Engineering Achievement
Award.
Right: Pretti Ghuman accepting the P3S Person of the Year
Award.
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LABS SEWER LEAKS – February 2009 www.labsofcwea.com
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awards. These LABS Safety Awards winners repeated last year’s
success, demonstrating the sustainability of establishing a culture
of safety. Kris Flaig from the LA City BOS was honored for his
exemplary service to LABS and CWEA with the Distinguished Service
Award. Kris’ numerous contributions to the industry include former
LABS President and newsletter editor, and TCP Chair from 1998
through 2008. As TCP Chair, Kris successfully navigated the
transition from paper testing to today’s computer-based system.
LABS first ever winner of the Outstanding Young Professional Award
went to Amanda Schmidt, RMC Water and Environment. Amanda was
honored for her foresight and groundbreaking efforts in
establishing the LABS young professionals committee. At the state
level, CWEA committees will choose outstanding people and projects
to recognize during the April Annual Conference; LABS awards
winners have traditionally been very competitive at this level.
Additionally, winners could advance to the national level at WEF’s
annual conference in October. Congratulations to all LABS award
winners, and good luck at future conferences!
Left: LA City BOS accepting the Public Education Award. Right:
LA City BOS Glendale and Tillman WRPs accepting the Safety Program
Awards.
Left: Kris Flaig honored with the Distinguished Service
Award.
Right: Amanda Schmidt accepting the Outstanding Young
Professional Award.
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LABS SEWER LEAKS – February 2009 www.labsofcwea.com
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First Annual Water for People Los Angeles Chapter Hike-a-thon By
Mischelle Mische
On a sunny Saturday morning in November 2008, more than 50
hikers gathered at Kenneth Hahn State Park in Los Angeles to enjoy
a beautiful morning hike through LA’s hills. While enjoying views
of the Pacific Ocean, the Hollywood sign, and downtown LA, the
hikers laughed and talked with friends and co-workers while blue
and white
helium balloons symbolizing water drops floated behind them. The
2.6-mile hike that morning represents a common distance that people
in developing nations traverse daily to obtain water. Instead of
helium balloons, they carry gallons of water back to their
communities. This hike-a-thon was organized by the Los Angeles
Chapter of Water for People to raise funds for sanitation and clean
water projects in developing nations. Before the hike began, hikers
enjoyed comradery and free donuts, bagels, coffee and orange juice.
Immediately proceeding the hike, Water for People LA Chapter
members Joyce Lee and Richard Murphy discussed the clean water
projects they worked on while in Malawi in 2007 and 2008
respectively. Throughout the hike, fun World Water Quiz stations
(shown on the right) were along the trail to further increase
awareness of the global water situation and how we can help the
development of clean drinking water projects in developing
countries. The hike ended with more comradery, networking and an
eagerness to gather again for a hike-a-thon in the spring of 2009.
The next Water for People Los Angeles hike-a-thon will be on May
30th. Please be on the lookout for further details. If you have
questions about this event or if you’d like to get involved with
the Water for People Los Angeles Chapter, please contact Mischelle
Mische at [email protected] or (562) 908-4288 x2742.
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LABS SEWER LEAKS – February 2009 www.labsofcwea.com
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Water News: Mayor Makes Rainy Day Announcement: More Water
Restrictions are Coming 2/9/09 sewerleaks.com Ignore the rain - it
might get your boots wet but it’s not going to make a dent in LA’s
three-year drought according to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The MWD
is warning water wholesalers deliveries from the Colorado River
cannot increase and the Delta will provide 15 to 25% less this
summer in order to help the smelt. The Sierra snow pack is 30%
lower than normal. It adds up to a dry summer, water rationing and
a lot of brown lawns… “What is being delivered here today is grim
news indeed. What is being announced is, in effect, water rationing
for the first time in the history of the city of Los Angeles,” H.
David Nahai, DWP’s general manager, said. Residents will be allowed
to water outside plants twice a week and if it gets really bad -
once a week. Los Angeles sure could use a water replenishment
system right about now.
Please do share! If you come across any interesting water news
that you want to share, either email the news to Alice Kuo at
[email protected] to be included in the monthly newsletter or to Alec
Mackie at [email protected] to be posted on LABS Blog page
http://sewerleaks.com/
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THE LOS ANGELES BASIN SECTION OF CWEA HOSTS A DINNER AND
TRAINING MEETING
WWaatteerr QQuuaalliittyy CCoommpplliiaannccee MMaasstteerr
PPllaann ffoorr UUrrbbaann RRuunnooffff
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Taix French Restaurant
------- Cross Streets: Between Glendale Blvd/Reservoir St and
Park Ave - see map below ------- Dinner is at 6:30; presentation at
7:15; join us at 6:00 for the mixer if you can.
RSVP By MONDAY, March 16th RSVP (with one menu choice from
above) to Hala Titus by e-mail (preferred method) at [email protected]
or by phone at (213) 312-3300 Event Cost: (pay at the door) Member
$30 Non-Member $35 Student/Retiree $15
--Guest Speaker-- RReezzaa IIrraannppoouurr -- PPhhDD,, PPEE,,
BBCCEEEE;; 2200 yyeeaarrss wwiitthh tthhee CCiittyy ooff LLAA
––
WWaasstteewwaatteerr aanndd SSttoorrmmwwaatteerr
PPrrooggrraammss Mr. Iranpour’s impressive resume includes 10 years
of private and institutional work, followed by 18 years with theLA
City BOS wastewater program. His service with the City covered
nearly every aspect of its operations includingfacility upgrades,
innovative research, plant operations and maintenance planning and
engineering. For the past twoyears, he has exercised broad
managerial oversight for its stormwater program including its
strategies for regulatorycompliance, stakeholder outreach, applied
research and engineering, and contracts and grants. Over
300publications and advanced books list Reza as either the lead or
co-author. He has served on editorial boards forenvironmental
science and engineering publications including the Research Journal
of the WEF, and has organizedand managed committees of
environmental organizations and conferences. He has also served on
researchfoundation committees, and has been a frequent award
recipient both locally at LABS and internationally.
The LA Regional Water Quality Control Board is in process of
developing over 60 TMDLs for the Santa Monica Bay, LA River,
Ballona Creek and Dominguez Channel watersheds. Reza will discuss
the City’s plan to meet the challenge of these expected TMDLs.
Dinner Menu: Meals include one of the following entrees:
Chicken Marsala - Boneless breast of chicken with Marsala wine
and mushroom sauce Risotto au Portabello - Italian aborio rice,
portabello mushrooms, cream, and cheese Lamb Shank - Braised lamb
shank Fillet of Sole - Meuniere: Sautéed, with a lemon butter cream
sauce
Handicap Accommodations Available
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BioCOPE, Inc. Bay Area ProcessPat McDaniel, President 14365
Meadow Dr.23711 Hix Drive Grass Valley, CA 95945Canyon, TX 79015
Marc Cuniberti, Presidentph: 800-900-6201 Ph: (530) 272-2298Fax:
888-473-4948 Fax: (530) 272-2753www.biocope.com Toll Free (800)
[email protected] [email protected]
Website: RUECKCO.COM
James H. Clark, P.E. Donald G. Rosenberg andVice President
Associates, Inc.800 Wilshire blvd. # 600 6442 Coldwater Caynon,
Suite 101Los Angeles, CA 90017 North Hollywood, CA 91606ph:
213-312-3300 ph: 818-508-4523Fax: 213-312-3399 fax:
818-508-6126www.bv.com Donald G. Rosenberg,
[email protected]
MURRILL ADAMS
GOLDEN BELL PRODUCTS11111 Santa Monica Blvd.Suite 750Los
Angeles, CA 90025 1200 N. Jefferson, Unit M Phone: (714)
630-3861Tel: (310) 893-2700 Anaheim, CA 92807 Fax: (714)
630-4807Fax: (310) 893-2750 www.goldenbellproducts.com Toll Free:
(866) 462-3577
www.brownandcaldwell.com/ email: [email protected]
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS, INC.
Industrial and Municipal Water and Waste Treatment Systems
6739 So. Washington Ave./P.P. Box 469/Whittier, CA
90608-0469(562) 945-3425 Fax (562) [email protected]
www.cec-h2o.com
Patrick F. Kennedy
MARK ALLING
Industrial Tools - SafetyEnvironmental Health ProductsDavid
Tucker - Sales/Customer Service294 West Bonita (909) 392-3442
CUST. SERV. (866) 337-7427 Pomona, CA 91767 (909) 392-3446
[email protected] TEL. (562) 698-8036 www.jgtucker.com (909)
223-4243 Cell
FAX (562) 698-1921 [email protected]
www.coombshopkins.comR. Bruce Zimmerman, President ph:
760-931-0555 Alec Mackie 290 Paularino Ave5411 Avenida Encinas.
Suite 250 fax: 760-931-9115 Marketing Manager Costa Mesa, CA
92626Carlsbad, CA 92008 cell: (714) 745-0678 JWC Environmental P:
[email protected] www.jwce.com [email protected]
19355 Business Center Drive Unit 2Northridge, CA 91324 Dhiru
Patel, P.E., Vice President ph: 626-912-3391, x-209
(818) 772-8720 Fax(818) 772-2477 Toll Free (818) 333-6474 1199
S. Fullerton Rd. fax: 626-912-2015email: [email protected] City
of Industry, CA 91748-1232 [email protected]
www.lee-ro.com
Allis-C
halmersGoulds Galigher
Moyno Durco Caster
562-945-3425California Environmental Controls, Inc.
SELF PRIMING / SUBMERSIBLE
LABS Corporate Sponsors
SEWAGE LIFT STATIONS
8851 Dice Road Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
ENGINEERED SYSTEMSWASTEWATER
ANDWATER
B R O W N A N D C A L D W E L L
Engineering Excellence in Water & Envirostructure
J.G. Tucker & Son, Inc.
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Hydrogen Sulfide Removal and Odor Control Chuck Parsons ph:
714-891-2323155 Balboa Street Suite D-9 ph: 760-510-8030 5841
Engineer Dr. ph: 800-726-2664San Marcos, CA 92069 fax: 760-510-8031
Huntington Bch., CA 92649 fax: 714-891-2524
www.marcabcoinc.com [email protected] cell:
714-231-3630www.sancon.com Contr. Lic. 731797
Rick Di Cesare Phone: 805.498.3811 Steven Stump ph:
714-847-13171111 Rancho Conejo Blvd. SuiFax: 805.498.7631 17631
Metzler Lane fax: 714-847-6907Newbury Park, CA 91350-1415
[email protected] Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Lic. 686371
Joseph A. Wojslaw, P.E., Vice President Steve Ahles MWH
Americas, Inc. Proj. Manager, Burbank Water Reclamation Plant618
Michilinda Avenue Suite 2 ph: 626-796-9141 740 North Lake St. ph:
818-972-1115, x-20Arcadia, California 91007 Direct: 626-568-6194
Burbank, CA 91502 cell:
[email protected]: 626-568-6101 fax:
818-845-0718
[email protected]
Lou Giordano209 E. Alameda St.Suite 204 AMIR SOLTANIEHBurbank,
CA 91502-2674
Pacific Process Equipment, ph: 818-500-9495 3010 FLOYD ST.
ORANGE COUNTY OFFICEfax: 818-500-9799 BURBANK, CA 91504-2599 PHONE
(949) 855-0919www.pacificprocess.com PH. (818) 562-5282 FAX (949)
855-0929
FAX (818) 842-3217
A SUPPLIER OF PUMPS AND PROCESS EQUIPMENT
100 West Walnut StreetPasadena, California 91124 GABRIEL
ZINK(626) 440-6263 cell (626) 483-3171 Sales EngineerFax: (626)
440-6337 Mobile 714 [email protected]
[email protected]
Office 714 779-0911 Fax 714 693-1715Surendra K. Thakral, PE.,
BCEE 1241 N. Lakeview Ave. Suite T Anaheim, CA 92807
Vice President/PWI Global Technology Strategy Director
www.cortechpumps.comwww.parsons.com
2400 Broadway Suite 300 www.rmcwater.comSanta Monica, CA
90404310-566-6460 ph 310-566-6461 fax
Innovative Solutions for Water and the Environment
LABS CORPORATE SPONSORS
BUILDING A BETTER WORLD
KRIS BROOKS
If Interested in Becoming A Corporate Sponsor, Please Contact
Mr. Pat McDaniel at (800) 900-6201
14859 East Clark Avenue Leo RaabCity of Industry, CA 91745
Director of MarketingTel 626-336-2139 Cell 805-760-4548 Fax
626-336-2634 Fax 805-435-1654'www.wecklabs.com [email protected]
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Sewer Leaks Editor Alice Kuo 1955 Workman Mill Rd. Whittier, CA
90601
LABS Board of Directors President: Patrick Griffith (562)
908-4288 x-2117Vice President: Hala Titus (213) 312-3330 Treasurer:
Ian Mackenzie (310) 648-6134 Director: Alec Mackie (714) 428-4614
Director: Pat McDaniel (800) 900-6201 Director: Wendy Wert (562)
908-4288 x-2128Past President: Pei-Chin Low (626) 568-6999 Address
Changes Please contact Marge Okabe at (310) 375-0448 or email
[email protected]
LABS Committee Chairs
Programs: Hala Titus (213) 312-3330 Newsletter: Alice Kuo (562)
908-4288 x-2155 Membership: Marge Okabe (310) 375-0448 WW Treatment
& Reuse: Mischelle Mische (562) 908-4288 x-2488 Awards:
Pei-Chin Low (626) 568-6999 TCP: John Mays (818) 778-4138
Supergroup: Dan Gary (310) 830-2400 x-5316 P3S Representative: Bill
Garrett (562) 699-7411 x-2907 Collection Systems: Pat McDaniel
(800)-900-6201 Public Education Michael Simpson (323) 342-6047
Operator Certification: Francisco Ramirez (310) 648-5857 Webmaster:
Miluska Propersi (310) 566-6460 Young Professionals: Amanda Schmidt
(310) 566-6460
CWEA Liaisons
CWEA Director: Ann Heil (562) 699-7411 x-2803 Southern CA Rep:
Constance Leonard (213) 457-2162
SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR Feb 19th CWEA Young Professionals
Hyperion Treatment Plant Tour http://www.cwea.org/ Feb 24th CWEA
Specialty One Day
Conference – Odor Control In the Wastewater Field, Playa Del
Rey
http://www.cwea.org/ Mar 2nd-4th CWEA 36th Annual P3S
Conference - Monterey, CA Hyatt Regency
http://www.cwea.org/ March 11th CWEA Specialty One Day
Conference – Crisis Communication, Whittier
http://www.cwea.org/ March 19th LABS March Dinner Meeting.
TAIX French Restaurant. 1911 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles
March 24th CWEA Specialty One Day
Conference – Pump Operation and Maintenance, Fresno
http://www.cwea.org/
www.projectpartners.com/ps/index.htm www.ewb-la.org
http://www.waterforpeoplela.com http://www.wef.org/
http://www.cwea.org/ http://www.labsofcwea.com/
