American Water Works Assn.

Benchmarking; performance indicators for water and wastewater utilities; 2007 annual survey data and analysis report.

Containing data on 22 high-level indicators of everyday water and wastewater utility performance, this primarily includes information treatment facilities believe they need for safe and effective operation. Their general concerns include organizational development (including health and safety of employees, customer accounts per employee, and water delivered per employee), customer relations (including disruption of service and residential costs), business operations (including renewal and replacement rates in water and wastewater), water operations (including drinking water compliance rates, direct costs of treatment and planned maintenance ratios), and wastewater operations (including overflow rate, operations and maintenance cost rations and planned maintenance ratios). The authors have sorted the data by region and include a comprehensive explanatory text along with extensive tabular information, explanations of terms and parameters, and guidance on measurements and algorithms. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The business of water; a concise overview of challenges and opportunities in the water market.

"Water is good; it benefits all things and does not compete with them." (Chinese saying) "Whiskey's for drinking; water's for fighting." (Mark Twain) These contradictory views of water preface this compilation of 35 recent articles from the AWWA (American Water Works Association) journal. In an introduction keyed to these articles, the founder of a Colorado company that provides consulting to the environmental and water industries introduces the major drivers, trends, and developments in the water market in the context of a global water crisis. The first article reviews issues in data collection on the costs of household water and wastewater services. Discussion of whether water should be viewed as a resource or commodity concludes the volume. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Characterization of total organic halogen produced during disinfection processes.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts and Ohio State University investigate the measurement, formation, precursors, occurrence, properties, and identity of total organic halide (TOX) in drinking waters. The report develops an empirical model of the relationship among chlorine, pH, and reaction time of unknown TOX in chlorinated waters, assesses the impact of bromide and iodide on TOX, and characterizes natural dissolved organic matter molecules. The experiments also consider alternative disinfection scenarios, the effect of different factors on the formation of disinfection byproducts during chlorination and chloramination, and the relationship of disinfection byproduct formation to precursor hydrophobicity and molecular size. No index is provided. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

DBP formation control by modified activated carbons.

This report describes an investigation into how activated carbons can be tailored for removal of organic matter from natural waters, and reports on the effectiveness of carbon tailoring approaches for the control of disinfection by-products (DBPs) at typical drinking water treatment conditions. After a chapter on introduction and background, the report discusses results obtained on adsorption of organic matter by modified granular activated carbons (GACs), adsorption of organic matter and control of DBP formation by steam-treated GACs, and adsorption of organic matter and control of DBP formation by iron- impregnated GACs. The report ends with recommendations for water utilities and directions for future research. Karanfil is affiliated with Clemson University. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Early detection of cyanobacterial toxins using genetic methods.

This project looks at the use of molecular detection technology, particularly real-time PCR, as a means of detecting toxic cyanobacteria in freshwaters. Three researchers with the Australian Water Quality Center sequence genes likely involved in cylindrospermopsin production of C. raciborskii and anatoxin-a production, develop a rapid method for preparing cyanobacterial samples, and adapt conventional PCR assays to real-time PCR. A field test applies rapid real-time PCR analysis to numerous sites in Central and Southeast Queensland where cylindrospermopsin-producing cyanobacteria are a problem. No index is provided. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Effect of changing disinfectants and distribution system lead and copper release; pt.1: Literature review.

This slim volume is part one of a research project examining the effects of changing disinfectants (from free chlorine to chloramines and vice versa) on levels and rates of leaching from lead, brass, and copper components in the water distribution system. The literature review synthesizes research findings on the chemical and electrochemical properties needed to understand the response of corroding metals and alloys to transitions between free chlorine and chloramines. The seven chapters discuss lead and copper release, galvanic coupling, protective scales formed on plumbing, water pH and alkalinity, and redox. No index is provided. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Environmental impacts of non-treatment discharges from drinking water utilities. (CD-ROM included)

This book/CD-ROM report contains information to help water utilities address the operational, permitting, hydraulic, and erosion issues associated with non-treatment discharges (NTDs). It reviews state regulations regarding NTDs, then summarizes the types of NTD streams that are currently regulated under various general and individual permits in US states. Published literature is reviewed for best management practices for compliance with various regulations affecting NTDs. The report describes the methods and results of a survey performed to gather information on the types, quality, and quantity of discharges and the particular NTD issues which utilities face. Based on the findings of the survey, the report provides decision analysis tools to assist system operators and regulators with appropriate methods for disposing of NTDs. Key regional issues are also identified. Information on the CD-ROM is not given. Narasimhan and Arora are consultants in Phoenix, Arizona. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Fundamentals of water utility capital financing, 3d ed.

Written for both public and investor-owned utilities, this work addresses traditional and innovative utility financing alternatives for meeting short- and long-term capital requirements. The manual covers concerns such as inflation, growth-related demands, the impact of public pressure to keep rates low, and new financing options and considerations. The manual is not intended to be a complete text on water utility capital-financing concepts; rather, it should be considered a guide for determining capital requirements, strategic planning, and financing alternatives. No recommendations or opinions about the relevance of alternative forms of available financing have been provided. The manual includes a glossary, and an appendix provides information on general requirements of bond-rating agencies. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Hexavalent chromium removal using anion exchange and reduction with coagulation and filtration.

As part of an ongoing City of Glendale research program, this study evaluates six weak-base anion exchange resins for hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] removal from groundwater, tests the highest operating pH for Duolite A7 and ResinTech SIR-700, and analyzes the weak-base anion resin residuals. The final chapter updates and compares cost estimates for weak-base anion exchange, strong-base anion exchange, and reduction/coagulation/filtration Cr(VI) removal technologies. No index is provided. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Impact of UV and UV/H2O2 AOP on EDC activity in water.

If recent news stories are any indication, public water supplies have been shown to contain a variety of pharmaceuticals (including sex hormones) and other chemicals, albeit in minute quantities. Questions of whether such small dosages affect health over time are still under study, but in the meantime water scientists are looking at issues related to treating these substances in public water supplies with newer technologies. This report describes how ultraviolet (UV) light, now commonly used in purification, and UV/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) advanced oxidation processes relate to endocrine disrupting contaminants (EDC) such as estrogen in water. The report includes bioanalytic analyses of UV treatment, water quality impacts on bioanalytical techniques, and a survey of estrogen activity at water treatment plants. The report includes recommendations for further study. Includes comprehensive references. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Let's talk safety; 52 safety talks 2008. (CD-ROM included)

This book/CD-ROM package with tear-out pages supplies workplace safety talks relevant to the water industry, designed to foster communication between supervisors and employees on a weekly basis during small group meetings. Many of this year's talks are new and others have been substantially revised. The CD-ROM, new to this edition, contains PowerPoint presentations that illustrate some of the talks. These presentations are complete with speaker notes for the safety trainer and can be printed as handouts for employees. They can also be adapted to include a utility logo or more information relevant to a particular workplace situation. Some topics covered in the talks include hazards of shift work, lime burns, compressed air, fire safety, manholes, and climbing elevated tanks. There are also safety talks on dealing with customers' dogs, workplace violence, and drunk driving. The book concludes with a list of AWWA safety videos. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Long-term effects of disinfection changes on water quality.

Many water utilities are considering changing disinfectant from chlorine, the stalwart since 1909, often to a combination of chloramines, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and ultraviolet light both for microbial and for environmental reasons. But scientists do not know how such chemicals and radiation will impact the quality of the water that is being distributed in the system over the long run. The study reported assembled findings in published literature and from empirical studies to offer guidance to utility officers. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Long-term performance prediction for PE pipes.

Six employees of the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization of Australia analyze responses to a water industry survey that requested data on rates of recorded failures in polyethylene pipe systems, and compare the field performance of PE water pipes in Australia, the UK, and the US. The report then reviews international standards for PE pipes and fittings, describes accelerated testing for slow crack growth resistance, and examines methods for predicting long-term slow crack growth failure. The final chapter develops a Monte Carlo simulation for 110mm SDR 11 PE pipe based on craze separation and net section collapse models. No index is provided. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Optimizing filtration processes through online floc particle characterization.

This project investigates the viability of analyzing floc particles online to help optimize and control the treatment process of surface water plants. A pilot-scale plant built at the Golden, Colorado water utility tested floc particle analysis with direct filtration, dissolved air flotation, and settler clarifiers. The findings of the study demonstrate that bench-scale floc particle diameter analysis predicts granular media filtration particle removal on pilot-scale. The appendix contains protocols for plant startup and backwash illustrated by black and white photographs. No index is provided. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Optimizing molecular methods to detect human caliciviruses in environmental samples.

The human caliciviruses, including noroviruses (NoVs), are the most common causes of acute gastroenteritis in humans. This study develops and evaluates novel methods for the concentration, detection, and genotyping of NoVs from complex environmental matrices. The study reports on a project that developed and evaluated the use of ligand binding assays based on H-type carbohydrates, which have recently been shown to bind to norovirus-like particles as a proof of concept for the recovery of noroviruses from water samples. The study compares and evaluates this method along with an electropositive 1MDS filter-elution method. Other methods explored include a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the detection to NoVs genogroup I and II, and validated assays using genetically different NoV strains. Vinjé is affiliated with the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Performance of elastomeric components in contact with potable water.

This research initiative clarifies the factors contributing to elastomer degradation in drinking water distribution systems and provides a quantitative method for predicting the performance and life expectancy of in-service elastomer components. A laboratory test program assesses the chloramine-induced degradation characteristics of six elastomer materials typically used in the water industry: natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, nitrile, neoprene, EPDM-S, and peroxide-cured EPDM. The report also explores the influence of concentration and temperature, loop strain, surface area-to-mass ratio, and carbon black loss. The authors are affiliated with the University of Louisville. No index is provided. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)