Eric J. Wahlberg and Jason Tincu

Transcription

1 2015 Annual Conference June 25, 2015 The Dissection of Tomorrow s Water Quality Professional What Will It Take to Be Successful? #DTWQP Eric J. Wahlberg and Jason Tincu June 4, 2015

2 Presentation Awakenings Incentives and Attractions Educational Pathways Technical Training Soft Skills Emerging Trends, Technologies, and Innovative Practices Takeaways and Q&A Brown and Caldwell 2

3 Awakenings

4 Eric Wahlberg BS Public Health UMass Colorado operator MS & PhD Environmental Systems Engineering Clemson University Research Dept. LA County Sanitation District Brown and Caldwell WasteWater Technology Trainers Exactly like my VW camper bus! Remember the year: Blue River Wastewater Treatment Plant, Silverthorne, CO. Brown and Caldwell 4

5 Jason Tincu Wanderer, Laborer, Landscaper, Social Engineer, Student (lifelong), Life Sponge Landed in Sewer in 98 AS (Sinclair), BS (Phoenix) Class IV, II, I (WW, W, Lab) Operated Utilities from MGD WEF, OWEA/SWOWEA, AWWA Twitter Brown and Caldwell Montgomery County s Eastern Regional WRF (Dayton, OH) Glady Run WWTP (Xenia OH) Brown and Caldwell 5

6 Need new modes of operation and new standards for water quality professionals Environmental conditions, generational changes and societal evolution = new challenges (and opportunities) for the water industry. Water scarcity (integrated water planning/reuse) Nutrient impairment (recovery and WQT options) Wet weather (green infrastructure) Climate change (green energy, resource conservation) Sustainability (evolution of processes, technology, financing) Brown and Caldwell 6

7 Need new modes of operation and new standards for water quality professionals Tomorrow s WQP will have a new set of tools in the tool box but will still be combatting the forces of economics, regulations, politics and what-not! There is no specific blueprint at this point on the exact make up of tomorrow s WQP we can project some of the key elements, concepts, skills, and credentials that may help the future generation be successful by studying the writing on the wall! Brown and Caldwell 7

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

9 We must, because... Influent Recycle Flows Liquid Treatment Solids Treatment Effluent Biosolids Brown and Caldwell

10 ... treatment plants are getting more... Influent Recycle Flows Biosolids & Nutrients Liquid Treatment Solids Treatment Heat & Power Recycled Water Brown and Caldwell

11 ... and more complicated Brown and Caldwell

12 What is it we do? Make permit No! Wastewater treatment is WAY more than making permit (although, obviously, making permit is important) The operator s credo: Our job is to remove pollutants from the incoming water while complying with all permits water, air and land and convert them to safe, disposable biosolids as sustainably and cost effectively as possible. Brown and Caldwell 12

13 This is a game changer, especially as quickly as our jobs are evolving Make permit No! Wastewater treatment is WAY more than making permit (although, obviously, making permit is important) The operator s credo: Our job is to remove pollutants from the incoming water while complying with all permits water, air and land and convert them to safe, disposable biosolids as sustainably and cost effectively as possible. Brown and Caldwell 13

14 We know why we got in the business in the first place Decent pay for the required level of education Good benefits Job security Job satisfaction Very good opportunities for career advancement In fact, AWESOME job satisfaction Brown and Caldwell

15 We should all be proud; what we do is remarkable Brown and Caldwell

16 An incredible endorsement of our profession Brown and Caldwell

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

18 A paradox that is mostly our doing We see ourselves as Water Quality Professionals Most of the public sees us as plant attendants Brown and Caldwell 18

19 This is unproductive (I was going to say, This is nonsense) Brown and Caldwell 19

20 Good settling is controlled by MCRT not by how many rotifers there are Brown and Caldwell

21 We are Masters of the nutrient-cycling universe! Brown and Caldwell 21

22 Wastewater treatment is grounded in science. And math! Q θ c BOD INF BOD EFF MLSS = (ISS INF + Y g ) 1 + b SRT V AB θ c = V AB MLSS Q WAS TSS WAS μ = (1/θ c ) + γ + b Brown and Caldwell 22

23 We must embrace this and stop running scared Q θ c BOD INF BOD EFF MLSS = (ISS INF + Y g ) 1 + b SRT V AB θ c = V AB MLSS Q WAS TSS WAS μ = (1/θ c ) + γ + b Brown and Caldwell 23

24 An embarrassment for all of us: a recently published practice problem answered When a plant uses mean cell residence time for control, the wasting rate must remain constant. This poses a problem when the BOD load coming into the plant increases dramatically and can upset the process. Brown and Caldwell

25 Where do we go The profession must ask more of us and we must ask more of ourselves so we are part of the solution(s) We need to put a lot more of the science of wastewater treatment into operator training and certification; We need to get rid of old, outdated, incorrect information We need to correct those individuals who perpetuate old, outdated, incorrect information or stop listening to them and stop giving them a pulpit Brown and Caldwell

26 What do we need to know Biology (microbiology), chemistry, physics Math Hydraulics, process engineering basics Power generation, power usage, power costs The interconnectedness of all things Emotional intelligence Brown and Caldwell

27 Soft Skills The Workplace is Very Different, Now Requires Emotional Intelligence

28 EI The ability to identify, use, understand and manage emotions in positive ways 1. Relieve stress 2. Communicate effectively 3. Empathize with others 4. Overcome challenges 5. Defuse conflict Jedi level sensing & social powers Brown and Caldwell 28

29 Attributes of EI (so necessary in today s workplace) Self-awareness Recognize your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior, know your strengths and weaknesses, and have self-confidence. Self-management Control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage your emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances. Social awareness Understand the emotions, needs, and concerns of others, pick up on emotional cues, feel comfortable socially, and recognize the power dynamics in a group or organization. Relationship management Develop and maintain good relationships, communicate clearly, inspire and influence others, work well in a team, and manage conflict. Brown and Caldwell 29

30 EI What s in it for you Your performance at work - Emotional intelligence can help you navigate the social complexities of the workplace, lead and motivate others, and excel in your career. Your physical health - If you re unable to manage your stress levels, it can lead to serious health problems. Your mental health - Uncontrolled stress can also impact your mental health, making you vulnerable to anxiety and depression. Your relationships - By understanding your emotions and how to control them, you re better able to express how you feel and understand how others are feeling. Brown and Caldwell 30

31 Getting started with EI: The ability to quickly reduce stress in the moment in a variety of settings The ability to recognize your emotions and keep them from overwhelming you The ability to connect emotionally with others by using nonverbal communication The ability to use humor and play to stay connected in challenging situations The ability to resolve conflicts positively and with confidence Brown and Caldwell 31

32 New Processes, Outlets, and Platforms

33 Technology evolution "Technology innovation can accelerate progress toward our goals of clean and safe water. EPA and many stakeholders will strive to support technology innovation to solve water resource problems cheaper, faster and using less energy!" - Nancy Stoner, Acting Assistant Administrator for Water, U.S. EPA Brown and Caldwell 33

34 Technology innovation From US-EPA s Blueprint for Integrating Technology Innovation into the National Water Program: The development and deployment of new technologies New applications of existing technology Production and process changes Organizational, management and cultural changes that can improve the condition and sustainability of our nation's water resources Brown and Caldwell 34

35 Technology platforms Energy Reduction and Recovery at Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities Resource Recovery from Wastewater Improving and "Greening" of the Nation's Infrastructure Water Reuse Improved and Less Expensive Monitoring Reducing Water Impacts from Domestic Energy Production Brown and Caldwell 35

36 Technology in action East Bay Municipal Utilities District in CA is a net energy producer, accomplished by implementing actions to reduce energy usage and enhance energy generation in cogeneration. Hampton Roads Sanitation District s (HRSD s) Struvite Recovery Facility in VA extracts phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater treatment streams and converts them, at HRSD's Nansemond facility, into an environmentally friendly, commercial fertilizer called Crystal Green. Brown and Caldwell 36

37 How do we get there? Innovation support and risk taking Create regulatory space" to foster technology innovation Institutionalizing technology innovation Collaboration Communication and education Public-private partnerships Brown and Caldwell 37

38 Thank you!