August 1, 2024
By Steve Nelson, Director of Water/Wastewater, WSB

The resilience of public water treatment systems has never been more crucial. There are also new opportunities that allow us to design systems that are sustainable, efficient, healthy and adaptable.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) presents a pivotal opportunity for cities to bolster their water treatment infrastructure with a focus on sustainability and resilience. This historic funding initiative supports the modernization of critical infrastructure, including the integration of sustainable technologies and practices within public water systems. By accessing IIJA funds, cities can invest in treatment technologies, green infrastructure and energy-efficient upgrades that meet regulatory demands position them to better address future challenges. The act offers a strategic pathway for cities to align financial investments with long-term sustainability and water treatment goals.

Three of the current models being used include:

• Water Reclamation using Green Infrastructure, such as biofiltration systems, which can contribute to urban greenery while reducing irrigation loads on a water treatment plant.
• Advanced Water Recycling Technologies, such as reverse osmosis (RO) that treat and reuse wastewater.
• Water Supply Plan initiatives by which public water supplies work to reduce per capita demands and maximum day to average day peaking factors.

Three new, innovative strategies for sustainable drinking water systems that can enhance the resilience of drinking water treatment systems:

• BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION – This technology has been used in the vast majority of European drinking water treatment plants for the last few decades. WSB has been at the forefront of working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to pilot test and implement the technology in several metropolitan area Minnesota communities. The process harnesses nature to avoid challenges and realize many benefits including:
  • Vastly reduce costs for water treatment plant expansions through MDH approval of filtration rates that can be double that of what MDH approves for conventional filter operations. This level of filter efficiency can eliminate the need for building additions and filter expansions and save municipalities millions of dollars in capital improvements costs.
  • Reduce chemicals added during treatment resulting in more natural drinking water and less potential for the formation of chemical by-products and the health risks such byproducts may introduce.
  • Better air quality in the water treatment plant, healthier air for the plant operators and less corrosion of equipment and infrastructure in the plant.
  • Better tasting water.
  • Reduce taste, odor and corrosion in the distribution system, which is good for Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) compliance and reduces the amount of expensive orthophosphates that need to be added to the finished water and carried into the distribution system.
• GEO-THERMAL ENERGY – WSB staff have worked with water treatment staff to harness the geo-thermal energy of drinking water that passes through treatment plants in Minnesota. No such large-scale systems have been allowed in the last several years. Recently, a new technology, by which to capture this geo-thermal energy, is emerging and may prove fruitful for some Minnesota drinking water treatment plants.
• PLATE SETTLERS – Although not as recent, there is once again the potential to apply for funding assistance if the expansion or optimization of your water treatment facility could benefit from the space saving and increased water recovery associated with plate settlers. We have helped implement nearly a dozen plate settlers for such purposes.

How WSB Can Help
These new opportunities to procure funding and enhance sustainable drinking water systems promote adaptability, treated water aesthetics and operator health are something we are prepared to assist you with. Our team works with you to leverage these technologies, apply for federal or state funding and help you build a drinking water treatment system that provides great water quality, reduced chemical use and adaptability for meeting future demands and regulations.

April 29, 2024
By Steve Nelson, Director of Water/Wastewater and Ryan Stempski, Sr Project Manager, WSB

This year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented new drinking water standards to limit exposure to the ‘forever chemicals’ Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The EPA’s new PFAS standards are four parts per trillion as the maximum contaminant level in drinking water. Communities whose water used to be compliant may no longer meet the EPA’s standards and now must comply with these new requirements within the next five years. By setting these new standards, the EPA started a compliance timer for communities across the United States, with much to be done including public notification, analyzing contaminants, grant applications, and designing and planning.

So how can communities prepare, plan and produce results? Here are some places to start.

Communication is Key

One of the first tasks for communities struggling with PFAS is preparing a proper communication plan. This includes coordinating with state agencies as well as relaying details to the public and those directly affected by the work that will need to be done. To ensure transparency, municipal water suppliers are required to notify the public within 30 days and cities are required to publish a consumer confidence report onto their websites by July. A well mapped out communications plan is imperative to informing the public, stakeholders and agencies about the issues, identifiable solutions and how to implement those solutions.

Finding Solutions Through Feasibility Studies

To best identify PFAS related issues and plan the necessary solutions, a city must implement a feasibility study. Through this study potential solutions to water contamination are identified and the suitability of these solutions are noted. For instance, is it possible for a city to develop a new source of water? This could mean looking for wells from different uncontaminated aquifers or reconnecting pipes to neighboring water systems. If it is determined that alternative solutions like these are not suitable for your community, treatment for the removal of PFAS may be the only solution.

The most widely used process for removing PFAS is granular activated carbon (GAC). GAC media is loaded into filtration vessels, when water is passed through the GAC filter bed where PFAS molecules attach to open adsorption sites in the granules. However, this GAC media requires expensive disposal and replacement every few years.

The other common treatment method uses ion exchange resins. Ion exchange resins are tiny beads that can capture PFAS molecules. This method can require more pre-treatment and disposal costs than GAC. Additional methods are being piloted and studied with the hope of making PFAS removal even more cost effective through processes that include on-site destruction of PFAS molecules – thereby avoiding the expensive disposal of granules and resins.

The Race for Funding

Just as cities must meet the standards in time, so too must they keep up with grant funding deadlines. A plan can be great but without the funding, it might not perform well. Applying for agency grants and monitoring funding legislation moving through state legislatures are necessary to both identify and secure funding to meet PFAS standards. A variety of funding opportunities can be utilized for administering studies, designing treatments and constructing projects. Five years may seem like a long time, but with the time spent seeking out and applying for funding on top of studies, designs and construction phases, cities need to start planning today.

How WSB Can Help

Communities now facing the impending deadline need to have an experienced team to help develop a communications plan, perform studies, apply for funding and provide design solutions. A great deal needs to be accomplished in only a few years. WSB’s team has decades of experience and knowledge on every aspect of PFAS removal. We can help execute solutions that improve water quality for the health and safety of the public and ensure cities can meet the EPA’s new standards.

Currently WSB is offering to provide cities with a PFAS Assessment and Response Strategy that includes a discovery interview with the water system operator, water system data review and analysis, and options for the city to consider as next steps. Contact us to learn more.

October 6, 2023
By Steve Nelson, Director of Water/Wastewater, WSB

The 3M and DuPont settlements have set the criteria for determining PFAS settlement amounts that will be offered to cities and public water systems grappling with PFAS contamination in their source waters.

The Settlements

Cities with detectable levels of PFOA and PFOS in their source waters will soon be hearing from claims administrators, if they haven’t already, regarding the 3M and DuPont settlements. The 3M settlement will be between $10.3 billion and $12.5 billion, depending on the number of claimants and the Dupont settlement is $1.185 billion for affected water systems. Money for capital investments (60 percent of the allocation) will be available as early as mid-2024 and dollars for operations and maintenance (40 percent of the allocation) will be distributed over the next several years.

3M Settlement amounts will be based on PFOA and PFOS levels and Adjusted Flow Rates as described in the following tool. Claim administrators will use a similar tool to determine DuPont settlements amounts (approximately one tenth of the larger 3M settlement amounts).

3M Public Water Provider Settlement Estimated Allocation Range Table

These 3M and Dupont settlement dollars are not expected to make communities with PFAS contamination whole (cover all the possible damages/costs). They do, however, offer the certainty of some financial relief for public water systems with PFOA or PFOS detected in their source water.

Opting In

Cities need to determine if opting in makes sense for their respective communities. Public water systems have a 90-day opt-out period to decide whether to participate in these settlements. The opt-out deadlines are as follows:

• DuPont: December 4, 2023
• 3M: December 11, 2023

Here are some key points cities should consider when deciding to opt-in or opt-out:

• Time Value of Money: The settlements provide a source of immediate funding, allowing cities that opt-in to lock in PFAS-related settlement dollars promptly. If a water system opts-out, they waive their right to pursue future litigation against 3M and Dupont and move to the end of the line. There is not guarantee of the amount of timing of any future funding.
• Legal Council Costs: Participating communities without counsel are likely to be assessed fees as a tax, while participating communities with counsel will not be charged this fee.

How WSB Can Help

Interested in additional help? Reach out to our experts to get started.

October 16, 2023
By Steve Nelson, Director of Water/Wastewater, WSB

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota State Fair (MSF) are an unlikely duet, yet in 2023 they are singing the praises of Biological Filtration.

• The Minnesota Department of Health – Acknowledged Biological Filtration’s ability to naturally achieve Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment (OCCT) and compliance with the Revised Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), in lieu of adding very expensive manmade chemicals like orthophosphate.
• The Minnesota State Fair – Le Sueur Minnesota, a community which WSB’s director of Water and Wastewater helped convert to Biological Filtration in 2013, was awarded third place among communities with the best tasting water at the 2023 State Fair.
  

The Corrosion / Taste Connection:

Biological Filtration ensures that all nitrification (the conversion of ammonia to nitrate) occurs in the water treatment plant filters and not in the finished water distribution system; it also allows for the addition of chlorine after complete nitrification has occurred.

• Avoiding nitrification in the distribution system is THE critical factor in the successful control of corrosion in Minnesota ground water systems.
• Achieving complete nitrification prior to the addition of chlorine vastly improves the ability to achieve and maintain great natural tasting water in the distribution system and all the way to the consumer’s tap.

Current Studies Reveal Other Practical Benefits:

WSB is piloting biological filtration for several metro area communities. Some of these communities are considering harnessing biological filtration to reduce capital and chemical costs for their future water plant expansions. Orthophosphate would not need to be added if Biological Filtration is approved as the OCCT. The currently projected capital and chemical savings for one of these communities are as follows:

How WSB Has Helped and Can Help

For decades, Steve Nelson has been teaching about Corrosion Control, singing the praises of Biological Filtration and making the connection between the two. “It is now a joy to see our local communities harnessing nature to produce safe, sustainable, solutions that provide natural corrosion control, reduced capital costs, reduced chemical costs and improved taste at the consumer’s tap.” (Steve Nelson, WSB)

Interested in pursuing or exploring how biological filtration systems can improve your community’s water? Reach out to our team of experts to get started.

October 16, 2023
By Steve Nelson, Director of Water/Wastewater and Jon Christensen, Project Manager, WSB

Smart city technology has proven to be a game changer in water management, revolutionizing how cities handle their water resources. Smart cities are leveraging innovation to improve water management, leading to increased efficiency, cost savings and proactive decision-making. Technology adoption to gather data, enhance operations and plan improvements has become vital in progressing toward more streamlined and effective utility infrastructure.

How can your community benefit from smart water management? Here are three things to consider.

1. Efficiency through Technological Solutions
   
   Smart cities optimize water management processes with accurate and real-time data, allowing for increased infrastructure efficiency, which reduces energy consumption and lowers costs. Integrating computer models, field data and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems can streamline operations and identify areas for rehabilitation or improvement in a water system.
   
   
2. Transforming the Water Management Lifecycle
   
   The impact of smart city technology is not limited to one phase of water management; it permeates the entire lifecycle. From the initial planning, design and construction stages to operation, maintenance and ongoing asset management, smart technology plays a vital role at every step. During design and construction, resources like 3D modeling create more accurate visual representations of supply, treatment, storage and distribution facilities and streamlines stakeholder and contractor communication, ultimately enhancing project outcomes.
   
   Once construction is complete, smart city technology continues to support asset management. 3D virtual models and Building Information Modeling (BIM) coupled with field data enables cities to monitor the condition of infrastructure, identify areas that require maintenance or rehabilitation and optimize around fluctuations in energy rates. By employing proactive strategies, cities can minimize disruptions, extend the lifespan of infrastructure and reduce operational and long-term costs.
   
   
3. Proactive Decision-Making and Risk Management
   
   Smart cities’ ability to be proactive in their water management practices sets them apart. By continuously monitoring and analyzing data, cities can detect potential issues before they escalate and prioritize rehabilitation and replacement budgets. Predictive analytics allow municipalities to identify potential issues and replace aging water main lines in advance of breaks and failures. This proactive approach minimizes disruptions to residents, improves service reliability and reduces emergency repair costs.

How WSB Can Help Your Community Be Smart About Water Management

WSB adopts a strategic approach to water management in smart cities, from planning, design and construction to asset management and beyond. Using state of the art technology and data-driven insights, we enhance project execution and improve asset management. Our approach enables cities to leverage smart technology in delivering high-quality water service to their residents and businesses.

January 24, 2023

A major chemical plant fire occurred at the Carus Chemical Company plant in LaSalle, IL during the morning of Wednesday, January 11. This facility is a leading producer of chemicals that are commonly used for water and wastewater treatment including potassium permanganate, sodium permanganate, and phosphate-based corrosion control chemicals (see EPA link for additional information). 

Chemical Plant Fire and Potential Impact on Supply Chain Disruptions | US EPA

What does this mean?

This event will affect the global supply chain for these chemicals and may impact water utilities across the United States. Sodium and potassium permanganate are commonly used in municipal water treatment to address manganese in the groundwater through conventional gravity and pressure filtration methods. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has implemented the following health advisory limits for consuming manganese: 100 parts per billion (ppb) for infants and 300 ppb for adults and children.  Studies have indicated that consuming manganese above these levels for a lifetime can affect memory, concentration, and motor skills.

What are the alternatives?

A very cost effective and natural method for treating manganese, iron, and ammonia in drinking water without the use of sodium permanganate, potassium permanganate, and chlorine is a process called biological filtration. This process uses microorganisms, rather than chemicals, to remove compounds biologically and has been commonly used in the wastewater industry since the early 1900’s.

In the last 20 to 30 years this treatment method has gained popularity in the United States. Minnesota water suppliers are showing an increasing interest in this water treatment method in order to combat rising costs of chemicals, address an increased desire for green technology and to meet federal regulations that limit the formation of disinfection by-products (DBP’s).

Most Minnesota groundwaters already have the balanced nutrient conditions necessary to grow microorganisms that remove compounds biologically. Therefore, modifications of existing conventional filtration plants to operate biologically are often straightforward and very cost-effective.

The ultimate benefit of implementing biological filtration for water treatment is the reduction or elimination of treatment chemicals, which results in significant operational savings over time.  

Where to start?

A biological filtration pilot study is the first step required by MDH to verify its effectiveness to treat contaminants in a community’s water source.  These studies typically require 3 to 4 months to complete before an engineering report is submitted to MDH for review and approval.

WSB has completed successful biological filtration studies for the cities of St. Martin, Baxter, Worthington, Hastings, Plymouth, and Andover using our own biological filtration pilot plant and trailer. This set up allows us to perform the necessary pilot study without disrupting the existing infrastructure and to identify the ideal treatment solution based on the area’s water conditions. If it is determined that biological filtration is a good alternative, the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) can provide funding to implement treatment of emerging contaminants such as manganese in drinking water through the Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund. WSB has worked with many clients to secure this funding.

Learn more about how WSB’s water treatment pilot study program works.

By Ursinio Puga, Professional Engineer, WSB

Managing local water and wastewater systems can be a complicated and challenging task that has a huge impact on residents and local businesses. Waiting to find solutions just isn’t an option. Below we discuss the top five challenges facing city wastewater systems today. Addressing these challenges before they become a real problem is key to continued success in your community.

Aging Infrastructure: The American Society of Civil Engineers recently gave our nationwide infrastructure (including wastewater treatment plants) a D+ grade. Minnesota wastewater treatment facilities are not immune to the aging infrastructure issue. Wastewater treatment facilities generally have a design life of 20-years. The need to start planning for repair and replacement of facilities is a continuous cycle.

Funding: Utilities know upgrades are needed due to growth and capacity limitations, aging infrastructure, and new effluent limits. Funding sources in Minnesota for improvement projects include Public Facilities Authority (PFA) low interest loans and new limits are typically eligible for Point Source Implementation Grants (PSIG). The best funding option for each facility will depend on its unique situation. It is important that utilities manage connection fees and user rates appropriately to ensure funds are available to pay for improvements.

Effluent Limits:  Ever evolving effluent limits are a constant challenge for wastewater utilities. Wastewater facilities in Minnesota are receiving stringent effluent phosphorus, total nitrogen, total dissolved solids (TDS), and chloride limits. Each of these limits typically require upgrades or additional processes to the wastewater facility. A unique situation for utilities is the lower chloride effluent limit. This may require upgrades to a community’s drinking water treatment plant to provide softened water to users so that chlorides are not added to wastewater streams by private water softeners.

Biosolids Handling:  Biosolids are very challenging to treat and dispose of for any wastewater facility.  The processing of biosolids generally depends on available resources/funding at the utility and the staffing levels of wastewater operators. Stringent effluent limits such as lower phosphorus limits are significantly increasing the volume of biosolids generated at wastewater treatment facilities.  Emerging PFAS regulations are adding further challenges to the final disposal of biosolids from wastewater treatment facilities.

Operations Personnel:  Like many industries, the wastewater treatment industry has been greatly impacted by a shortage of operations staff. This shortage of operations staff is due to an aging work force retiring and smaller numbers of replacement staff entering the operations field. The shortage of operations staff is also enhanced by reclassification of wastewater treatment facilities to Class A and B facilities to meet stringent effluent limits. Utilities need to plan accordingly to minimize impacts from operational staff shortages by promoting education, training, and advancement of operation staff. Utilities must also implement a staff retention plan or engage with an outside consultant to maintain or increase their staffing levels.

WSB’s team of experts are available to help with any or all the wastewater challenges discussed here. We leverage and advance technology to provide system assessments, facility plans, funding services, engineering design, construction administration and observation, and on-going personnel support for wastewater systems. 

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