Water Break: Recent Episodes
Heather Jennings, PE
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers.”
In episode 39 of the Water Break podcast our host Heather Jennings, PE, is continuing the conversation with Christopher Hatch to dig even deeper into Anaerobic Digestion and applications. They will cover processes, troubleshooting and safety.
Christopher has almost 3 decades of experience in wastewater treatment and biological systems and he leads the Riverbend division of Chemtron Riverbend as the Senior Director of Biotech and Engineering. He has a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Iowa with an Environmental Minor and a Degree in Physics. He has operated nearly all types of biological driven processes in wastewater, as well as dewatering and thickening and many chemical processes as well. He has a huge passion for anything biological and environmentally related.
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers.”
In episode 38 of the Water Break podcast our host Heather Jennings, PE, is in conversation with Christopher Hatch to dig deep into Anaerobic Digestion and applications. Christopher has almost 3 decades of experience in wastewater treatment and biological systems and he leads the Riverbend division of Chemtron Riverbend as the Senior Director of Biotech and Engineering. He has a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Iowa with an Environmental Minor and a Degree in Physics. He has operated nearly all types of biological driven processes in wastewater, as well as dewatering and thickening and many chemical processes as well. He has a huge passion for anything biological and environmentally related.
In episode 37 of the Water Break podcast our host Heather Jennings, PE, is in conversation with Jim Huchel to talk about nitrification and denitrification. They discussed this topic in 2020 and are revisiting it after nearly four years.
With 4 decades of years of work experience in the wastewater industry, Jim shares his insights, advice and more with our listeners.
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers.”
In episode 35 of the Water Break podcast, our host Heather Jennings, PE, is in conversation with Frederick Tack to discuss membranes in water and wastewater treatment. Frederick serves as a Technical Director, Project Director, and Associate with GHD, based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he leads a team of engineers, operators, and designers, in the planning, engineering, operations, management, and compliance of water and wastewater treatment infrastructure across the U.S Southwest.
With over 21 years of experience, he is a field to finish, multi discipline professional who has led the design of over 135 projects including 32 water treatment and 37 wastewater treatment facility expansions, optimizations, or rehabilitation and has sealed over 290 final design documents in the past 10-years.
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers.”
In episode 34 of the Water Break podcast, our host Heather Jennings, PE, is in conversation with Wanda Baustert. Wanda is the inspiration behind Wanda’s Tidbit – our special segment toward the end of every Water Break podcast. She loves to curate wastewater fun facts, and more, to keep our listeners informed and entertained.
Fun fact about Wanda? She’s also Heather’s mom!
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers.”
In episode 33 of the Water Break podcast our host Heather Jennings, PE, is going to talk about Preliminary Engineering Reports with Marty Howell who is a senior engineer with Souder, Miller & Associates, a civil engineering firm with offices throughout the mountain west. Howell’s work focuses on rural water and wastewater projects across southern New Mexico and Texas
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers.” In episode 33 of the Water Break podcast our host Heather Jennings, PE, is going to talk about Preliminary Engineering Reports with Marty Howell who is a senior engineer with Souder, Miller & Associates, a civil engineering firm with offices throughout the mountain west. Howell’s work focuses on rural water and wastewater projects across southern New Mexico and Texas. Podcast Links
Souder, Miller & Associates Marty Howell:Office: 575.647.0799
Links from Wanda’s Water Tidbit
Cloacina on Wikipedia Cloacina: History Lesson Cloacina: Goddess of Rome's Oldest Sewer Cloacina on Bricktology: Where Bricks Meet Myth
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In Episode 32 of The Water Break Podcast, Heather Jennings, PE, talks with Mike McGill about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) communication plans and how to support local communities through the new regulations coming down from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Mike is the Founder and President of WaterPIO, a company that specializes in crisis communications planning and implementation in the water industry. Podcast Links
WaterPIO: https://www.waterpio.com, call or text (910) 622-8472 WaterPIO PFAS Communications Template
Links from Wanda’s Water Tidbit
Niagra Falls State Park Website Facts About Niagra Falls.
Heather’s Niagra Falls Photos:
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers”
In episode 31 of the Water Break Podcast, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses the experience of being a new person in the water and wastewater industry with our newest team member Andrew Emerson, and Jim Huchel, Operations Manager, Makai Water Services. With 39 years of work experience in the wastewater industry, Jim shares his interesting journey and words of wisdom with Andrew and our listeners!
Podcast Links
- Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals
- ABC Wastewater Treatment Need-to-Know Criteria
- Operation of Water Resource Recovery Facilities, MOP 11
- Office of Water Programs, Sacramento State
- Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery, 5th Edition
Links from Wanda’s Water Tidbit
- This Is How Burj Khalifa Handles All the Poop
- What Happens When You Poop in A Burj Khalifa’s Toilet
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers”
In episode 30 of the Water Break Podcast, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses the WEFTEC Operations Challenge with Allan Clum, General Manager, and Greg Hill, Operations Manager, at Mount Pleasant Waterworks (MPW) in South Carolina. Clum and Hill share their experience of participating in the Operations Challenge and reveal why this challenge is a big deal in the industry.
Podcast Links
- Operations Challenge 2021 Laboratory Event
- Operations Challenge 2022 Safety Event
- Operations Challenge 2021 Process Control Event
- WEFTEC 2016: Operations Challenge—Pump Maintenance
- Operations Challenge 2021 Collections Event
Links from Wanda’s Water Tidbit
- San Diego Zoo, Dung Beetle
- Smithsonian Magazine, Dung Beetle
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers”
In episode 29 of the Water Break Podcast, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses fundamental water systems backflow and cross-connection issues with Gary McLaren, Marketing Director and “Backflow Nerd” at HydroCorp, based in Troy, Michigan, and Rich Davison, Engineering Sales at Soderholm & Associates in Madison, Wisconsin. Mr. McLaren and Mr. Davison have co-instructed over 150 backflow prevention and cross-connection control classes since 2012.
Podcast Links
- HydroCorp, The Safe Water Authority
- Hydracorp video: Cross-Connection Control in Municipal Water Systems
- SafeWater EDU Online Learning
- Soderholm & Associates
- Safe Drinking Water Act
- Lead Reduction Act
Links from Wanda’s Water Tidbit
- NPR Science Friday: Mapping Extreme Microbes in the Amazon’s Boiling River
- Science Alert: Scientists Have Found a Mysterious Boiling River Straight Out of Amazonian Legend
- National Geographic: This Scientist Studies Microbes Found in Peru’s Boiling River
- National Geographic Podcast: Solving the Mystery of the Boiling River
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In episode 28 of the Water Break Podcast, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses fundamental water systems backflow and cross-connection issues with Gary McLaren, Marketing Director and “Backflow Nerd” at HydroCorp, based in Troy, Michigan. Mr. McLaren has inspected over 4,000 commercial and industrial facilities for unprotected backflow hazards. He is part of the team that developed SafeWaterEDU.com, the nation’s only Water Operator Continuing Education School dedicated to the world of backflow prevention. Gary is certified in Cross-Connection Control Surveying and Backflow Prevention Program Administration by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering. Podcast Links
HydroCorp, The Safe Water Authority Hydracorp video: Cross-Connection Control in Municipal Water Systems SafeWater EDU Online Learning American Society of Sanitary Engineering American Water Works Association National Rural Water Association Houston residents ordered to boil water after power outage at city plant caused drop in water pressure
Links from Wanda’s Water Tidbit
Dewey C., Fox P.M., Bouskill N.J., et al., Nature Communications: Beaver Dams Overshadow Climate Extremes in Controlling Riparian Hydrology and Water Quality Sam Brasch, CPR News: How Beavers Could Help Protect Water Quality from Climate Change Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute: Beavers Canada Beneath Our Feet, Geological Curiosities of Canada: Ice Age Mammals, Giant Beaver (Megafauna Beaver) Goldfarb, Ben: Eager, The Surprising Secret Lives of Beavers and Why They Matter
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In Episode 27 of the Water Break Podcast, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses the microbiology of filamentous bacteria with Dr. Toni Glymph-Martin. Dr. Glymph-Martin is a Wastewater Microbiologist and Certified Operator, B-Level, with 40+ years’ experience in wastewater. She is the author of two books: A Wastewater Microbiology Laboratory Manual for Operators and Wastewater Microbiology: A Handbook for Operators. In today’s podcast, Dr. Glymph-Martin discusses how to microscopically identify the various types of foaming and sludge bulking bacteria and the best ways to manage those bacteria when they cause treatment system problems. Toni Glymph-Martin Toni’s Website: https://www.wwmicrosolutions.com/ Toni’s textbooks:
Wastewater Microbiology: A Handbook for Operators A Wastewater Microbiology Laboratory Manual for Operators
More from Toni Glymph-Martin (video): The Wastewater Treatment Plant Microbiological Zoo Podcast Reference from Wanda’s Water Tidbit
NPR Strange News: Why do so many bikes end up underwater? The reasons can be weird and varied
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In The Water Break Podcast Episode 26, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses Water and Wastewater Facility Master Plans with guest Devan Shields, Project Engineer at Sunrise Engineering in Fillmore, Utah (phone 435.562.4086). Mr. Shields develops water and wastewater infrastructure solutions that include master plans, designs, and facility evaluations. His areas of expertise include culinary and wastewater master planning and design, hydraulic analysis of water and wastewater systems and components, and technical reports for water and wastewater infrastructure. He has worked with water and sewer systems across the U.S. from consulting offices in Texas, Arizona, and Utah. Podcast Links:
S. Environmental Protection Agency: Planning for Sustainability, A Handbook for Water and Wastewater Utilities
Wanda’s Water Tidbit Links:
S. Food and Drug Administration: Microwave Ovens The University of Melbourne: H2WOW! The Explosive Side of Water
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In The Water Break Podcast Episode 25, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses commercial diving and how it applies to water and wastewater treatment facilities with guest Robert Greenspan, president of Midco Diving & Marine Services of Rapid City, South Dakota (phone 1-800-238-0217). Mr. Greenspan has 28 years of commercial diving experience. He and Heather discuss all aspects of how commercial divers can be useful to water and wastewater facilities, what to look for when hiring a dive company, and how to best implement dive services. Podcast Links:
Midco Diving & Marine Services S. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Commercial Diving Association of Diving Contractors International: International Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations S. Navy Diving Manual
Wand’s Water Tidbit Links:
The Fossil Forum: Coprolite Identification Rock & Gem: Coprolites Gross Science, YouTube: What Can You Learn From Ancient Poop? TEDx Talks, Gary Toranzos: Look in the Poop for the Scoop
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In The Water Break Podcast Episode 24, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) with guests from 120 Water (phone 1-888-317-1510), Marcus Hagberg and Lowell Huffman. Mr. Hagberg is an Account Manager and Mr. Huffman is Director of Strategic Partnerships at 120 Water. Both are very actively involved in helping water utilities get ahead of the challenges relating to new Lead and Copper Rule Revisions from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that govern funding and implementation of the initiative to remove dangerous lead pipes from our nation’s community water delivery systems. Podcast Links:
120Water: Lead and Copper Rule 120Water: Lead and Copper Rule Revisions FAQs 120Water: Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Quiz
Wanda’s Water Tidbit Links
org News: Chemists Cook Up Way to Remove Microplastics Using Okra Southern Living: Texas Researchers Use Okra to Remove Microplastics from Wastewater American Chemical Society Meeting Newsroom: Cooking Up a Way to Remove Microplastics from Wastewater with Okra, Aloe
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In The Water Break Podcast Episode 23, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses Pumps and Motor Operation and Maintenance with Glynn Stoffel, a certified environmental trainer and senior instructor for the University of Florida’s TREEO Center. Mr. Stoffel teaches courses related to the proper operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems. He has over 30 years’ experience in the water and wastewater industry as a maintenance worker, manager, and consultant. He is a Certified Instructional Technologist (CIT) through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and is recognized as a Master Instructor by the National Environmental Safety and Health Training Association. Podcast Links
University of Florida Training, Research, and Education for Environmental Occupations (TREEO) Center
Wand’s Water Tidbit Links
Ancient Water Technologies of the Nabataeans Smithsonian Channel: Ancient Engineering That Kept One of the Driest Cities Wet New Eastern Archeology Journal: Ancient and Modern Watershed Management in Petra
Video for Engineers
Spoon Feed Me: Cavitation and Net Suction Head | Fluid Mechanics
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In The Water Break Podcast Episode 22, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses Slips, Trips, and Falls with Joseph Lanute. Mr. Lanute is the owner of Universal Safety Compliance, LLC., and he is a lead Instructor at the Arizona State University OSHA Education Center. Universal Safety Compliance (phone 602-810-6713) is a full-service safety consulting, training, and risk management company providing all aspects of safety and loss control services to companies throughout Arizona and the Southwest. Podcast Links
Arizona State University OSHA Education Center United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Regulations 29 CFR 1910 United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction 29 CFR 1926 Safety Sign: Safety First—Please Don’t Take Chances with Your Safety! We Hate Telling Your Family That You Were Acting Like an Idiot!
Wanda’s Water Tidbit Links
Treatment Plant Operator Magazine: Student’s Sustainable Water Treatment System Inspired by Nature Sustainability Matters: Standalone Water Treatment System Inspired by Nature Vimeo: SASS—Stand-Alone Sun-flow System
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In The Water Break Podcast Episode 21, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses Excavation and Trenching Safety with Joseph Lanute. Mr. Lanute is the owner of Universal Safety Compliance, LLC., and he is a lead Instructor at the OSHA Training Institute Education Center at Arizona State University. Universal Safety Compliance (phone 602-810-6713) is a full-service safety consulting, training and risk management company providing all aspects of safety and loss control services to companies throughout Arizona and the Southwest. Podcast Links
OSHA Publication 2226-10R 2015: Trenching and Excavation Safety OSHA Trenching and Excavation: Slope It. Shore It. Shield It. OSHA Standard 1926.651: Specific Excavation Requirements
Wanda’s Water Tidbit Links
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: What Are Atmospheric Rivers? U.S. Geological Survey: Rivers in the Sky: 6 Facts You Should Know About Atmospheric Rivers
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In The Water Break Podcast Episode 20, Heather Jennings, PE, interviews Paula Jackson, owner of Earth Water Specialists, which provides training for the water and wastewater industry. The interview includes discussion of OSHA requirements, types of confined spaces, common hazards faced by water and wastewater workers, and how to stay safe when confronting common hazards in confined spaces. They emphasize the importance of safety training and preparedness when working in confined spaces. Show Links
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA Confined Spaces
Wanda’s Water Tidbit
Journal of Archeological Science: Experimental replication shows knives manufactured from frozen human feces do not work YouTube Improbable Research, 2020 Ig Nobel Material Science Prize: Knives Made of Frozen Feces Don’t Make the Cut
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In Episode 19, Heather Jennings, PE, interviews Michael Preston, Legislative and Policy Analyst for the National Rural Water Association, regarding the newly passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and what the billions of dollars in new federal funding could mean for the water and wastewater industry. The bill delivers more than $50 billion to EPA to improve our nation’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure—the single largest investment in water that the federal government has ever made. SHOW LINKS Kentucky Tornado Relief Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund Kentucky Agriculture Relief Fund Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) National Rural Water Association: Congress Passes Historic Infrastructure Bill Including Billions in New Federal Water Funds The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Text: H.R.3684: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act The White House: Fact Sheet: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal EPA 2017: Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Eligibility Handbook Clean Water State Revolving Fund 2015: An Introduction to EPA Clean Water State Revolving Fund U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: EPA PFAS Strategic Roadmap U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Emerging Contaminants and Federal Facility Contaminants of Concern Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act: Assistance for Small and Disadvantaged Communities Drinking Water Grant Program - Implementation Document U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Strategies to Achieve Full Lead Service Line Replacement Brookings: America has an infrastructure bill: What happens next? Wanda’s Water Tidbit Mental Floss: 16 Cool Facts About Glaciers Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA’s OMG Mission): Oceans Melting Greenland
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In Episode 18, Heather Jennings, PE, explores moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) with her guest, Dan Turner, president of Blue Whale Technologies. MBBRs biologically treat wastewater by incorporating specialized media that increase surface area on which microorganisms can grow and consume organic material. Heather and Dan discuss MBBR applications, equipment, sizing and design, as well as process optimization. Links: Blue Whale Technologies Wanda’s Water Tidbit: The Mpemba Effect
Arxiv.org—Monwhea Jeng (2005): Hot Water Can Freeze Faster Than Cold? SciShow—YouTube: Does Hot Water Freeze Faster Than Cold Water? The Weather Network—YouTube: The Mpemba Effect and Why Hot Water Freezes Faster Than Cold
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In Episode 17, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses the aging of the current water and wastewater treatment operations workforce and efforts to recruit, train, and retain new workers. Her guests are Paula Jackson, Apprenticeship Program Coordinator for the Vermont Rural Water Association, and Shea Dunifon, Education Coordinator for Pinellas County Utilities’ South Cross Bayou Education Program. Links:
Brookings, Metropolitan Infrastructure Initiative: Renewing the Water Workforce: Improving Water Infrastructure and Creating a Pipeline to Opportunity Vermont Works for Women Science Daily: “Sticky Questions” Raided by Study on Coral Reefs YouTube, Eternal Reefs: Eternal Reefs Mike Rowe and Dirty Jobs Reef Ball LIVES!!
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In Episode 16, Heather Jennings, PE, discusses Environmental Laboratory Sampling Tips & Tricks with Marci Payne, Sales and Marketing Director at Legend Technical Services of Arizona, Inc. In this podcast, Ms. Payne provides a general overview of best practices for collecting water and wastewater samples for testing at an environmental laboratory. Additional Resources:
Arizona Data Qualifying Matrix for Labs Arizona Laboratory Data Qualifiers
Wanda’s Water Tidbit: Fatty McFatberg
Museum of London: Fatberg! Exhibiting the “Monster of Whitechapel” Argent Energy: Fats oils and greases, known as FOGs, from the wastewater industry solidify in the sewerage network, block wet wells and accumulate at wastewater treatment works BBC: Scott and Wayne Deal With a Fatberg at Manchester’s Largest Wastewater Treatment Works Environmental Science and Technology: Evidence for Fat, Oil, and Grease (FOR) Deposit Formation Mechanisms in Sewer Lines The New York Times: Scientists Solve a Puzzle—What’s Really in a Fatberg? Water Research: Reducing Fat, Oil, and Grease (FOG) deposits formation and adhesion on sewer collection system structures through the use of fly ash replaced cement-based materials
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In Episode 15, Heather Jennings, PE, leads a panel of 3 guests on a discussion of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in the environment, drinking water, and wastewater. The panel includes Marci Payne, Sales and Marketing Director at Legend Technical Services of Arizona, Inc.; Cathy Swanson, West Regional Sales Manager and Groundwater Remediation Specialist at Purolite; and Dr. Rosa Gwinn, Global PFAS Technical Leader at AECOM. Heather and the panel discuss PFAS in terms of what they are, how they impact us, how we test for them, and issues related to removing them from the environment. They also discuss current regulatory requirements and what our level of concern should be in terms of addressing them in our industry. Additional Resources:
EPA PFAS Info: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas CDC PFAS Info: https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/PFAS_FactSheet.html ITRC PFAS Sampling and Analytical Methods: https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/11-sampling-and-analytical-methods/#11_1 New Hampshire OFAS Sample Collection Guidance: https://www4.des.state.nh.us/nh-pfas-investigation/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/201905_Sample-Collection-Guidance-2.pdf
Mentioned in the Podcast:
Dark Waters Movie Trailer The Cat in the Hat Comes Back
Wanda’s Water Tidbit: Mining for Sewer Heat:
NPR—How Your Hot Showers and Toile Flushes Can Help the Climate Huber Technology—How to Heat and Cool Buildings With Wastewater National Geographic—Waste Wattage, Cities Aim to Flush Heat Energy Out of Sewers
“Where We Bridge the Gap Between Water Plant Operators and Engineers” In Episode 14, Heather Jennings, PE, leads a panel of 3 guests who share their lessons learned and wastewater wisdom from almost 100 years of combined wastewater processing experience. The panel guests collectively hold more water and wastewater operator licenses than we can count. The guests are Jim Huchel, City of Flagstaff Water Reclamation Plant Manager; Dave Axton, Owner of Water Resources, Inc.; and Jason Joynes who is Executive Director of Rural Water Association of Arizona and also Process Control and Equipment Specialist for Construction Product Marketing (CPM) in Arizona. Panelist Contact Information: Dave Axton, Jason Joynes, and (if you want to contact someone in the middle of the night) Jim Huchel. Links from Wanda’s Water Tidbits:
The Guardian—Water: The Weirdest Liquid on the Planet Chemistry World—The Weirdness of Water SciFi Show (YouTube)—Water is WAY Weirder Than We Thought
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In Episode 13, Heather Jennings discusses Treatment Plant Instrumentation with her guest, Benjamin Barker. Mr. Barker has been an applications engineer for Xylem for 4 years, working with YSI’s process instrumentation product lines. In his role as applications engineer, he assists customers with sensor applications, writes material for YSI.com, and conducts technical trainings and webinars for wastewater operators and engineers. Podcast References from Wanda’s Water Tidbit: How a Burning River led to the Clean Water Act
S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): History of the Clean Water Act Smithsonian Magazine: The Cuyahoga River Caught Fire at Least a Dozen Times, but No One Cared Until 1969
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In Episode 12, Heather Jennings discusses Cyber Security for Water and Wastewater Systems with her guest, Tom Kirkham. Tom is the Founder and CEO of IronTech Security. IronTech Security is a cybersecurity company that has been providing services to water utilities for 20+ years. Topics discussed include cyber security issues currently facing the water and wastewater industries and how to prepare for them. Mentioned in the Podcast
Threat Post: Florida Water Plant Hack—https://threatpost.com/florida-water-plant-hack-credentials-breach/163919/
Podcast References from Wanda’s Water Tidbit: Water Bears on the Moon?
Live Science: Facts About Tardigrades—https://www.livescience.com/57985-tardigrade-facts.html TED Ed: Meet the Tardigrade, the Toughest Animal on Earth—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxndOd3kmSs&ab_channel=TED-Ed PHYS.ORG: Tardigrades, We’re Now Polluting the Moon with Near Indestructible Little Creatures—https://phys.org/news/2019-08-tardigrades-polluting-moon-indestructible-creatures.html
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In Episode 11, Heather Jennings discusses wastewater BOD (biological oxygen demand) Testing and Lab Analysis with 2 guests: Rick Mealy, retired program chemist from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Laboratory Certification and Registration Program and president-elect of the Wisconsin Wastewater Operator Association’s (WWOA) Board of Directors, and George Bowman, retired lab manager and certification audit chemist.
Contact Rick Mealy at rickmealy1@gmail.com or through the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators' Association
How to make Holy Water (according to Rick and George): Wait for the video on Slide 2. Click to Watch
Podcast References from Wanda’s Water Tidbit: Walking on Water
Scientific American (Article): How Is It Possible for Insects and Spiders to Walk on Water or Walls? American Chemical Society Headline Science (YouTube Video): Shadows Reveal How Insects Walk on Water
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers”
In Episode 10, Heather Jennings discusses water clarifiers with John Gottschall. Mr. Gottschall is retired, with over 40 years of experience in the wastewater industry. Topics covered in the podcast include introduction and orientation to water clarifiers, types, processes involved, and maintenance of clarifier systems. Mr. Gottschall shares many lessons learned from his long experience, along with stories from the field that include goats and lawn mowers!
John Gottschall may be contacted at johngottschall7@gmail.com. Podcast References from Wanda’s Water Tidbit: Ice Balls
CNN—It’s so cold in the Midwest that thousands of ice balls have formed on Lake Michigan: https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/16/us/lake-michigan-ice-balls-trnd/index.html Atlas Obscura—It’s Ice Ball Season: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ice-balls-lake-michigan YouTube—Ice Balls Crash Along Lake Michigan Shore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWHgcsQtOaE YouTube—Ice Balls Forming Along Lake Michigan Near Glen Arbor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iupm6VHKoQU
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In Episode 9, Heather Jennings discusses COVID 19 wastewater epidemiology and how that helps communities track the pandemic in their communities. Her guests are:
Ian L. Pepper, PhD, Professor at the University of Arizona and Director of the Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center in Tucson, Arizona. Dave Tracey, a licensed professional engineer in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, and Director of Global Channel Sales for LuminUltra Technologies Ltd, a Canadian firm focusing on biological monitoring and control solutions. Helena Steeves, Clinical Applications Engineer at LuminUltra Technologies Ltd.
Dr. Pepper may be contacted at the WEST Center: www.west.arizona.edu
News Video on Dr. Pepper’s wastewater epidemiology project: https://www.kold.com/2020/08/24/uarizona-testing-sewage-water-covid-/
Mr. Tracey and Ms. Steeves may be contacted, and information about LuminUltra Technologies is available, at:
luminultra.com | Blog | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube | Facebook
Podcast References from Wanda’s Water Tidbit
He tastes water like some taste wine. Meet a water sommelier: https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/00000169-6e55-db4c-af6f-7f551ca00000 Fine Waters Taste & Design Awards: http://www.finewaters.com/ Berkely Springs International Water Tasting 2020 Winners: https://berkeleyspringswatertasting.com/winners/
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In Episode 8, Heather Jennings discusses DNA Analysis and Microscopy with Dr. Paul Campbell and Ryan Hennessy. Paul has extensive experience with microbial physiology, industrial microbiology, and fermentation and leads Aster Bio’s molecular biology and biochemistry work. Ryan is a microbiology and operations specialist at Midwest Contract Operations. Topics covered in the podcast include introduction and orientation to wastewater microbiology evaluation including Next Generation DNA Sequencing, qPCR, and microscopic evaluation; identifying and interpreting microorganisms and their roles in wastewater processing; and tracking microbiology trends in system operations. Paul Campbell, PhD, may be contacted at https://www.asterbio.com/. Ryan Hennessy may be contacted at https://www.mco-us.com/wastewater-microbiology/. Podcast References from Wanda’s Water Tidbit: Skipping Stones on Water Discover Magazine, Cameron Walker and Jeff Wilson: The Physics of Skipping Stones Library of Congress: Everyday Mysteries, How Does a Stone “Skip” Across water? Wired YouTube Channel: Why It's Almost Impossible to Skip a Stone 89 Times
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In Episode 7, Heather Jennings discusses Wastewater Anaerobic Digesters with Kay Curtin. Kay is an Advanced Wastewater Operator in Wisconsin and a Level A Wastewater Operator in Minnesota, with 45+ years’ experience in wastewater. She is currently working with the Wisconsin Rural Water Association as a trainer/technician for Western Wisconsin and has her own consulting business, Curtin Consulting, LLC. Topics covered in the podcast include anaerobic digester pros and cons, bacteria used, nutritional requirements, key operating parameters, main causes of failures, and typical operating issues. Kay Curtin Bio and contact info at Wisconsin Rural Water Association Podcast Reference from Wanda’s Water Tidbit: The World’s Most Beautiful Sewage Plant
Crossness Engines Trust Website: http://www.crossness.org.uk/ Video Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjrxvAfansQ&ab_channel=TheTimTraveller Video Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxt7v8xHoIY&ab_channel=GreatBigStory
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In Episode 6, Heather Jennings discusses Wastewater Laboratory Operations with Toni Glymph-Martin. Toni is a Wastewater Microbiologist and Certified Operator, B-Level, with 40+ years’ experience. She is the author of two books: A Wastewater Microbiology Laboratory Manual for Operators and Wastewater Microbiology: A Handbook for Operators. In today’s podcast, Toni talks about how and when to use a microscope to better manage wastewater treatment. Toni Glymph-Martin Toni’s Website: https://www.wwmicrosolutions.com/ Toni’s textbooks:
Wastewater Microbiology: A Handbook for Operators A Wastewater Microbiology Laboratory Manual for Operators
More from Toni Glymph-Martin (video): The Wastewater Treatment Plant Microbiological Zoo Toni Modeling Her Water Bear (Tardigrade) Wear
Podcast Reference from Wanda’s Water Tidbit
British Museum Curator’s Corner: Why You Should Love Japanese Manhole Covers Only In Japan: Annual Manhole Summit and City Tour List of Designed Manholes
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In this podcast episode, host Heather Jennings, PE, interviews Patrick Hill, a wastewater treatment lagoon specialist at Triplepoint Environmental. Patrick has presented on lagoon topics at conferences throughout the U.S. and at WEFTEC. He was named one of Water and Waste Digest’s young water professionals to watch in 2015. In this podcast, Heather and Patrick discuss lagoons, their technical considerations, and aeration options. And at the end of the podcast, in Wanda’s Water Tidbits, Heather describes an Australian effort to use an electrochemical method to clean up heavily polluted industrial wastewater.
Triplepoint Environmental Website: lagoons.com REFERENCED IN THE PODCAST New Atlas article: Zaps of electricity clean up wastewater from biofuel production Algal Research article: Electrochemical oxidation of nitrogen-rich post-hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater University of Sydney article: Engineers use electricity to clean up toxic water Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck animation: Algae Season/Duckweed Season
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In this podcast episode, host Heather Jennings, PE, interviews two highly experienced experts regarding operational issues related to activated-sludge wastewater systems:
Jim Huchel is the Water Reclamation Plant Manager for the City of Flagstaff, Ariz. Dave Axton is the owner of Water Resources Management, Inc., and he is also a Probiotic Solutions® sales representative
Jim and Dave have over 80 years of combined experience in water plant operations. REFERENCED IN THE PODCAST Sulabh International Museum of Toilets
Website: https://www.sulabhtoiletmuseum.org/ Video Tour of the Museum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXGnicN3Gok
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Contact Dave Axton at Water Resources Management (WRM) WRM operates approximately 50 wastewater treatment plants and public water supplies. It has a full-scale wastewater lab where testing is performed for about 150 treatment plants. WRM also performs sludge profiles on various lagoon treatment systems, and it troubleshoots Industrial as well as domestic wastewater treatment plants. WRM also has a software division that designs and distributes water and wastewater management software for public and private utilities throughout the U.S.
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In this podcast episode, host Heather Jennings, PE, interviews Fred Black and Ray Ramos of the New Mexico Rural Water Association on the topic of Troubleshooting Water and Wastewater Systems. Fred and Ray troubleshoot water and wastewater systems in the state of New Mexico, and together they have more than 50 years of experience in the water/wastewater industry. Referenced in the PodcastNew Mexico Rural Water Association: https://nmrwa.org/ How to Row a Boat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHn94aJPSeo How NOT to Row a Boat: https://youtu.be/N1xQ9Dc7Tm8 Journal of Consumer Psychology: Taking a Shine to it: How the preference for glossy stems from an innate need for water. Jemaine Clement—“Shiny” (from Moana) (Official Video)
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In this podcast episode, host Heather Jennings, PE, interviews wastewater microbiologist and certified operator Toni Glymph-Martin on the topic of Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal in Wastewater. Toni has more than 40 years of wastewater experience and is the author of several wastewater microbiology textbooks. Microorganisms (stained slides), photos courtesy of Toni Glymph-Martin:
GAOs
PAO-PHBs
PAO-PolyPs
Toni’s Website: www.wwmicrosolutions.com Toni’s textbooks:
Wastewater Microbiology: A Handbook for Operators A Wastewater Microbiology Laboratory Manual for Operators
More from Toni Glymph-Martin (video): The Wastewater Treatment Plant Microbiological Zoo Podcast reference from Wanda’s Water Tidbit:
TED-ED: Why Does Ice Float In Water?
From the Door of Heather’s Home Recording Studio:
“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers”
In our first podcast episode, host Heather Jennings, PE, discusses the wastewater nitrification-denitrification cycle with two guests, John Souza and Diego Lopez. John Souza is Utilities Manager for the City of Lemoore, California. He is also a Grade T-4 Water Operator, Grade 3 Wastewater Operator, and D-3 Distribution Operator. Diego Lopez, also with the City of Lemoore, is a Grade 2 Wastewater Operator working toward his Grade 3 exam.
Nitrification-denitrification is the great “teeter-totter” of wastewater treatment. Nitrogen is one of the most abundant elements on earth, so why do we spend millions of dollars removing it from water? And how do we do it?
Podcast reference:
Circle of Life (Official Video from "The Lion King")
Podcast reference for Wanda’s Water Tidbit:
Biomonitoring Drinking Water Quality in Poland Based on Clams
Supplemental reading:
Heather’s blog post: Nitrification 101 Heather’s blog post: Nitrification and Denitrification in Wastewater Activated Sludge