swmoa newssavage, and mehul patel were present at this third meeting. discussions continued about...
TRANSCRIPT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Awards Message………………..Pg 2
A Brief History of SWMOA…...Pg 3
Workshop Highlights…...……...Pg 4
Letter From The Editor………...Pg 5
Board Election Results...……….Pg 6
Available Committee Chairs.......Pg 7
Committee Chairs……….…..….Pg 8
Membership Summary……...….Pg 9
Upcoming Events…...………….Pg 9
Membership Update……….….Pg 10
Board Of Directors……………Pg 10
Volume 1, Issue 4 Fall 2012
SWMOA News
We Need Your Input for
the SWMOA News
Take this opportunity to
place your company or plant
in the news
Share your experiences with
others
Member contributions are
welcome. Please contact us
SWMOA’s Board of Directors
Elections Results Are Here!
See Article on Page 6
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT BY: ERIC OWENS, Separation Processes, Inc.; SWMOA President
DIRECTORS MESSAGE BY: CARL W. SPANGENBERG, Irvine Ranch Water District
Dear SWMOA Members,
I find it hard to believe that 2012 is nearing an end already. It seems as if the
year had just begun and here we are bringing it to a rapid close.
Nonetheless, SWMOA charges headlong towards 2013 and all the excitement
that it will bring. We'll be seating a new board soon, reassigning committee
chairs, and supporting a joint workshop with AMTA in Maui. And that's all
before ringing in the new year.
In 2013, we've got many more tech transfer workshops planned, and of course,
our Annual Symposium in April. There's a lot to do, and seemingly less and
less time to do it. But it will get done because we have a dedicated board of
directors and members that truly believe in SWMOA's mission - educating and
uniting membrane treatment plant operators.
So before you get caught up in the year-end activities of your day job, or
become overwhelmed with the challenges that lay ahead, let me remind you to
take a pause during this upcoming holiday season. Take a moment to reflect on
what's truly important to you and yours. Because like it or not, no matter what
we do, even. 2013 will come and go...and it won't be coming back any time
soon.
It has been a pleasure and honor to serve on the SWMOA Board the past six
years. As I reflect on my time on the Board I think back to the handful of folks
that initiated the beginning of the organization and the relationships that I have
developed with both the board members and members at large. Thanks for
allowing me the opportunity to serve you and provide you with the tools for
improving your knowledge on membrane technologies. This is a great
organization providing necessary operator training and I expect that SWMOA
will continue its outreach to our current and future members to help make the
operations of our membrane facilities a success.
Volume 1, Issue 4
SWMOA News
Page 2
AWARDS MESSAGE By: Mehul Patel Orange County Water District; SWMOA Award Committee
Seth Ginter G.E. Water and Process Technologies; SWMOA Award Committee
It’s that time of the year again where we need help from our SWMOA members. We are looking for nominations
for Plant of the Year and Operator of the Year to be awarded at the SWMOA Annual Symposium in April 2013.
Each year we give out these two awards to bring recognition to people doing outstanding work in the membrane
industry.
If you know of someone you’d like to nominate for Operator of the Year or a Facility for Plant of the year please
submit an nomination form. The nomination forms and awards criteria are available on our website at
www.swmoa.org. You can also contact SWMOA board members Mehul Patel or Seth Ginter who are on the
awards committee. Nominations are due in to SWMOA by February 8, 2013. Both awards come with a plaque
commemorating the achievement as well as other benefits.
For Plant Of The Year, The Benefits Include:
The award recipient will be announced at the SWMOA Annual Symposium and receive a plaque
recognizing this achievement. In addition, the recipient’s achievement will be mentioned in the
SWMOA quarterly newsletter and on the SWMOA web site. A letter will be written by the SWMOA
president to the manager of the winning treatment plant acknowledging the achievement.
For Operator Of The Year The Benefits Include:
The award recipient will be announced at the SWMOA Annual Symposium and receive a plaque
recognizing this achievement. In addition, the recipient’s achievement will be mentioned in the
SWMOA quarterly newsletter and posted on the SWMOA web site.
A letter will be written by the SWMOA president to the winner’s manager acknowledging the
achievement.
The winner will receive one free annual symposium registration to be used at the symposium following that
which the award was received.
We look forward to reading your nominations for Plant Of The Year and Operator Of The Year.
Volume 1, Issue 4
SWMOA News
Page 3
Mission Overview: The Southwest Membrane Operator Association (SWMOA) was formed in 2006 as an affiliate of
the American Membrane Technology Association, and is a membrane operators’ group that was formed to provide
membrane operators a forum to exchange information, share experiences and knowledge, obtain training and acquire
continuing education credits necessary for Operator Certification requirements. SWMOA is an organization
committed to the advancement of its objectives throughout the Southwest United States region including, but not
limited to Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah.
In an effort to form an organization focused on operator education and information exchange for membrane operators
living and working within the Southwest United States, an informal meeting was held on March 10, 2006 with ten
individuals gathering at the Irvine Ranch Water District’s (IRWD’s) multi-purpose conference room in Irvine, CA.
This initial gathering came about as a result of a conversation between Carl Spangenberg and Steve Duranceau at the
American Membrane Technology Association’s Biennial Conference in 2002. Over the years these two individuals
pondered the formation of such an organization, but it was not until 2006 that the concept became a reality. Present at
the first meeting where the formation of a membrane operator organization was discussed included: Peter Baranov,
Ed Dillhoefer, Doug Eisberg, Steve Duranceau, Brian Jordan, Tom Roberts, Vic Savage, Carl Spangenberg, Wyatt
Won, and Wayne Wright. At that time the biggest discussion surrounded the naming of the organization. Initially the
group started with the Southwest Desalting Association, however it became clear to the group that membranes
embraced more than just desalting, and that a more broad term encompassing all membrane applications seemed
appropriate but none could agree on a name at that time.
A second formation meeting was held again at IRWD’s multipurpose conference room on April 7, 2006 where
representatives of the American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) discussed the concept of forming an
operator organization as an AMTA affiliate. This meeting was followed-up with a third meeting held on April 18,
2006 at Boyle Engineering Corporation’s (now AECom’s) Newport Beach office. Tai Tseng, Doug Eisberg, Steve
Duranceau, Arseny Kalinsky, Khos Ghaderi, Lucy McGovern, Carl Spangenberg, Wyatt Won, Brian Jordan, Vic
Savage, and Mehul Patel were present at this third meeting. Discussions continued about the naming of the
organization, and again, none could agree on an alternative “all-encompassing” name. Agreement on a formal name
for the organization finally occurred at a meeting on June 6, 2006 at the IRWD multi-purpose room, where the name
Southwest Membrane Operator’s Association was coined. Present at this meeting were: Carl Spangenberg, Steve
Duranceau, Wayne Wright, Brian Jordan, Pete Baranov, Scott McClelland, Lynne Gulizia, Jim Elliot, Lo Tan, Mehul
Patel, Jeff Mosher and Doug Eisberg. A tentative slate of board members and officers were established at the June 6,
2006 meeting.
One of the first SWMOA operator forums and hands-on training sessions was held on July 30, 2006 as part of the
AMTA’s Pre-Conference Workshop at the IRWD’s Irvine Desalter with 26 participants in attendance. It was not
until August 22, 2006 that the first interim Board meeting of SWMOA was held in Newport Beach, C.A. with eleven
participants discussing the logistics of committees, finances, and scheduling the first “hands-on” training program.
The Board Members (by Division) were: Carl Spangenberg, Mehul Patel, Scott McClelland, Khos Ghaderi, (Division
I); Steve Duranceau, Lynne Gulizia, Jim Elliot (Division II); Jeff Mosher, Wyatt Won (Division III). Mehul Patel
was elected President, Scott McClelland Vice-President, Carl Spangenberg Treasurer and Jim Elliot, Secretary.
Another key outcome of this August 22nd meeting was the adoption of the Mission Statement, “The Southwest
Membrane Operator Association is dedicated to the training, continued education and professional development of
operators of membrane processes used for water and wastewater treatment.” On September 7, 2006 the Southwest
Membrane Operators Association (SWMOA) was officially incorporated as “A California Nonprofit Public Benefit
Corporation.” By early 2007 SWMOA’s membership totaled 37 and has grown to over 300 by 2012. The future
appears to be bright for this operations-based organization!
SWMOA – A BRIEF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE BY: CARL SPANGENBERG Irvine Ranch Water District
STEVE DURANCEAU University of Central Florida
EAST BAY MUD WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHT BY: ERIC OWENS, SEPARATIONS PROCESSES, INC.; SWMOA PRESIDENT
Volume 1, Issue 4
SWMOA News
Page 4
On September 25, 2012; SWMOA teamed with EBMUD to bring a one day, tech transfer workshop to Richmond,
CA. With attendance from agencies representing all of Northern California, the workshop was a huge success.
Attendees learned about both MF/UF and NF/RO technologies, with a specific focus in water recycling applications.
A special thanks to CSM membrane, Arisawa Protec Pressure Vessels, and Separation Processes, Inc. for sponsoring
the event, and Professional Water Technologies (PWT) for providing the pens for our attendees to take notes.
If you missed this one, don't worry, there will be another opportunity soon!
On September 27, SWMOA partnered with the Chino Basin Desalter Authority and Inland Empire Utilities Agency
to bring Southern California membrane operators a workshop focused on groundwater RO desalting. This event may
have been our most widely attended to date, which is really only a reflection of both the amount of groundwater RO
treatment occurring in Southern California, and our membership's thirst for knowledge. A special thanks to The
Dow Corporation for sponsoring the event, and once again to PWT for providing those pens.
CHINO WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHT BY: ERIC OWENS, SEPARATIONS PROCESSES, INC; SWMOA PRESIDENT
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL SWMOA SYMPOSIUM!
By: Christiana Daisy, P.E. West Basin Municipal Water District, SWMOA Program Chair
Because employment in the water and
wastewater treatment industry is and
will continue to grow especially in
the Southwest, SWMOA is dedicated
to help educate and train owners and
operators of membrane systems to be
as prepared as possible for upcoming
opportunities, learn from your
colleagues on what they are doing,
and be as educated as possible on
what the industry has to offer.
At the 2013 Annual Symposium,
SWMOA attendees will learn the basic
of membrane treatment and
appropriate applications of different
treatment technologies in recycling
and tertiary treatment including the use
of MBR, reverse osmosis and
nano-filtration, as well as
microfiltration and ultrafiltration.
Registration is available on the SWMOA Website: www.swmoa.org or call 888-463-0830
Volume 1, Issue 4
SWMOA News
Page 5
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY: VALERIE GARCIA, CH2M HILL-OMI/ Twin Oaks Valley WTP
Here it is fall already; kids are back in school; days are getting shorter and the New Year is right around the corner.
With a little less available sunlight for outdoor activities, it gives us a little more time to sit and reflect about the
things we dedicate time to in our lives. If one of the things you dedicate time to is SWMOA, maybe you will take a
moment and contemplate if you would like to give more to the organization. This organization was created to be a
forum for operators to gain knowledge, education, and exchange ideas in the ever changing world of membrane
filtration. So why not take the time to share some of your insight with your fellow operators? Do you have an
interesting lesson learned or observation? Write an article to share with others via the newsletter. The organization is
yours; why not make the most of it by participating?
Volume 1, Issue 4
SWMOA News
Page 6
The SWMOA elections were held earlier this year. SWMOA would like to thank all of our membership for voting,
those folks who volunteered to be a candidate on the ballot, and most of all we would like to
thank, congratulate and welcome our newest board members!
The following is our 2013 Board:
Division 1 – Public Agencies, Industrial Users, Water Suppliers
Scott McClelland, Sweetwater Authority – term 2011-2013
Dave Smith, Olivenhain Municipal Water District – term 2013-2015
Jerry Vilander, Mesa Consolidated Water District – term 2013 - 2015
Gary Witcher, California Water Service Company – term 2013-2014
Division 2 – Manufacturers and Consulting Firms
Seth Ginter, GE Water and Process Technologies – term 2011-2013
Eric Owens, P.E., Separation Processes, Inc. – term 2013-2015
Miller Truby, Professional Water Technologies – term 2013 -2015
Division 3 -- Individuals, Professors, Libraries, Students, Affiliates,
Honorary
Christiana Daisy, West Basin MWD – term 2011-2013
Tom Knoell, Orange County Water District – term 2013-2015
SWMOA would like to acknowledge and thank the following board members for their significant contribution
during their tenures: Carl Spangenberg with Irvine Ranch Water District, Valerie Garcia of CH2M Hill-OMI/Twin
Oaks, Art Nunez with the City of Scottsdale and Mehul Patel with Orange County Water District
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS By: Christiana Daisy, P.E. West Basin Municipal Water District
Miller Truby
Treasurer
Seth Ginter
Vice President
Tom Knoell
Secretary
Eric Owens
President
Christiana Daisy Gary Witcher David Smith Jerry Vilander Scott McClelland
Volume 1, Issue 4
SWMOA News
Page 7
Available Committee Chairs
We would like to encourage all SWMOA members to participate on a committee. If you are interested in participating
on a committee, please contact Alie Griffin at [email protected]
Below is a listing of SWMOA Committees and each of their descriptions:
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: The Membership Committee shall seek and review applications for
membership in the three division of membership of the Corporation, and shall make membership
recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Membership Committee shall seek to obtain the widest
possible participation in the Corporation among qualified applicants.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: The Finance Committee shall prepare and suggest for adoption by the Board of
Directors plans for financing the activities of the Corporation and an annual budget to govern the operations
of the Corporation. modification of dues rates, alterations of financing plans, and budget amendments shall
be reviewed by the Finance Committee, which shall submit them with accompanying recommendations to the
Board of Directors for action.
PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE: The Public Relations Committee shall be responsible for developing
and implementing programs which inform and educate the public as to the positive benefits of desalting and
membrane processes.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE: The Legislative Committee shall recommend to the Board of Directors and,
after obtaining the approval of the Board, institute programs (a) to disseminate information concerning
legislation proposed for consideration in the Congress, in the State Legislatures, or by other governments
affecting the interest of the Corporation; (b) prepare position papers on behalf of and for consideration by the
Board and for presentation when appropriate to Legislative Committees on matters related to the interests and
objectives of the Corporation; and (c) present legislative summaries to the general meetings.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE: The Program Committee shall arrange for the general meetings as required of the
Corporation, and the committee shall be responsible for the preparation of the programs. The Committee
shall keep in mind the public interest in the objectives of the Corporation and the technical interests of the
active members in the formulation of the programs. The Committee will collaborate with local officials in the
coordination of general and international meetings and in presentation of reviews' of ongoing activities of the
Corporation.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER COMMITTEE: The Technology Transfer Committee shall be responsible for
generating and conducting programs of technology transfer designed to increase the knowledge of and
interest in desalination, water reclamation and other fields of interest to the Corporation. The Committee may
cooperate and collaborate with other corporations and organizations in its programs. The Committee shall
endeavor to gain broad participation of members of the Corporation and any affiliated corporations in
technology transfer activities.
OPERATOR CERTIFICATION COMMITTEE: The Operator Certification Committee shall be responsible
for developing and implementing programs for training of operators of membrane treatment facilities. The
goal of this training program shall be certification of operators qualified in the desalinization processes.
Volume 1, Issue 4
SWMOA News
Page 8
SWMOA 2012-2013 COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Member Company Phone Email
AMTA Liaison: Eric Owens Separation Processes, Inc. 760-400-3660 [email protected]
Awards: Seth Ginter GE Water and Process Technologies 760-685-8561 [email protected]
Christiana Daisy West Basin Municipal Water District 310-660-6233 [email protected]
Bylaws & Policies: Eric Owens Separation Processes, Inc. 760-400-3660 [email protected]
Nomination/Election: Jerry Vilander Mesa Consolidated Water District 949-574-1000 [email protected]
Executive (officers): Eric Owens Separation Processes, Inc. 760-400-3660 [email protected]
Finance: Miller Truby Professional Water Technologies 760-639-4400 [email protected]
Legislative: David Smith Olivenhain Municipal Water District 760-753-6466 [email protected]
Membership: Gary Witcher California Water Service Company 661-872-6400 [email protected]
Christiana Daisy West Basin Municipal Water District 310-660-6233 [email protected]
Operator Certification: Scott McClelland Sweetwater Authority 619-409-6825 [email protected]
Publications/Newsletter: Tom Knoell Orange County Water District 714-378-3357 [email protected]
Program: Christiana Daisy West Basin Municipal Water District 310-660-6233 [email protected]
Public Relations: Tom Knoell Orange County Water District 714-378-3357 [email protected]
Technology Transfer: David Smith Olivenhain Municipal Water District 760-753-6466 [email protected]
Eric Owens Separation Processes, Inc. 760-400-3660 [email protected]
Miller Truby Professional Water Technologies 760-639-4400 [email protected]
Volume 1, Issue 4
SWMOA News
Page 9
The Southwest Membrane Operator Association currently has 347 members. We are encouraged that our
membership remains strong even in these tough economic times. On behalf of the SWMOA board of directors the
membership committee urges you to renew you membership when due and encourage your colleagues to join. It is
our membership that allows SWMOA to serve the membrane industry. For further information on membership or to
become a SWMOA member please visit our website at www.swmoa.org or contact the membership committee
chair, Christiana Daisy at [email protected] or Gary Witcher at [email protected]
In each issue of the SWMOA newsletter we like to spotlight one of our SWMOA members to allow you to get to
know more about fellow members. For this newsletter we’d like to highlight the Sweetwater Authority. The
Sweetwater Authority was one of the original member agencies of the Southwest Membrane Operator Association.
The Sweetwater Authority provides water service to approximately 184,000 people in a 32 square mile service area
that includes National City, Bonita, and the western and central portions of Chula Vista, California. Water is
delivered to customers via 388 miles of pipeline with water procured from several sources: deep freshwater wells,
local runoff capture with subsequent storage in local reservoirs, and purchase of imported water from the San Diego
County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District.
Sweetwater Authority’s Richard A. Reynolds Desalination Facility treats brackish ground water to drinking water
quality. The capacity of the facility is 5 MGD with a by-pass blend of between 15% and 20% depending membrane
element performance. On the by-pass line there is also a 1 MGD iron/manganese removal system used to eliminate
these two major contributors to color water complaints in the system. The RO system consists of antiscalant
addition, cartridge filtration, 3 trains with a 20X10 array with 210 elements per train. Following the treatment
system there is a 400,000 gallon chlorine contact tank and pumping station to pump the finished water directly into
the distribution system.
MEMBERSHIP SUMMARY BY: MEHUL PATEL, Orange County Water District; SWMOA Award Committee
April 22-24, 2013
Sheraton Hotel and Marina
San Diego, CA
SWMOA Annual Symposium
May 5-7, 2014
Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa
Santa Rosa, CA
SWMOA Annual Symposium
UPCOMMING EVENTS
Volume 1, Issue 4
SWMOA News
Page 10
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE SWMOA WELCOMES 28 NEW MEMBERS!
SWMOA 2012-2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Member Term Company Phone Email
Eric Owens - President 2013-2015 Separation Processes, Inc. 760-400-3660 [email protected]
Seth Ginter - Vice President 2011-2013 GE Water and Process Technologies 760-685-8561 [email protected]
Miller Truby - Treasurer 2013-2015 Professional Water Technologies 760-639-4400 [email protected]
Tom Knoell - Secretary 2012-2014 Orange County Water District 714-378-3357 [email protected]
Scott McClelland 2011-2013 Sweetwater Authority 619-409-6825 [email protected]
(Past President)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Member Term Company Phone Email
Christiana Daisy 2011-2013 West Basin Municipal Water District 310-660-6233 [email protected]
Dave Smith 2012-2014 Olivenhain Municipal Water District 760-753-6466 [email protected]
Jerry Vilander 2012-2014 Mesa Consolidated Water District 949-574-1000 [email protected]
Gary Witcher Jr. 2012-2013 California Water Service Company 661-872-6400 [email protected]
Jeff J. Adams City of Torrance
Timothy W. Ayres
Santa Clara Valley Water District
John Brixie
Zone 7 Water Agency Almeda County
Greg Brock
Zone 7 Water Agency Almeda County
Johnathan Burgess
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Frank Camarillo
United Water Services
Johanna Castro Santa Clara Valley Water
District
Josh Chapman Zone 7 Water Agency
Almeda County
Allan Dahlquist Zone 7 Water Agency
Almeda County
Michael D’Arcy Santa Clara Valley Water
District
Kris Filice Santa Clara Valley Water
District
Edgar Giron
Lale Guven Santa Clara Valley Water
District
John Johnson
Leon Krebs Cal Poly Ponoma University
Tim Lewis
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Hugh Logan
Logan Services Corporation
Adam Ly City Of Riverside Public
Utilities
Ron McCall Yucaipa Valley Water District
Jim Pennell
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Joe Phillipy
Cal Poly Ponoma University
Robert Scott Santa Clara Valley Water
District
Miles Sherman GE Water And Process
Technologies
James Stansberry Cal Poly Ponoma University
Steve R. Twitchell
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Lyndsey R. Wiles
Tri Sep Corporation
Mike Wyrick California Water Service Co.
Crystal Yezman
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Volume 1, Issue 4
SWMOA News
Page 11
C H E CK U S O UT O N T H E W E B !
http://www.swmoa.org
Tell Your Friends About SWMOA
We are dedicated to providing a forum for
membrane system operators to exchange
information, experience and knowledge. As
important, we provide educational credits through
our workshops and hands-on training necessary for
Operator Certification. Our goal is to make our
vital industry stronger and the technology more
reliable. Prospective members can find application
information online on our website at www.swmoa.org.
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SWMOA Newsletter Advertising Space
Available!
Please email your ad in a camera ready form, an eps file, or
high resolution jpg format only to [email protected],
mail or overnight a disc/cdrom to SWMOA at the address
below:
2409 SE Dixie Hwy., Stuart, FL 34996
If you have any questions, please contact
Rachel Marshall at 760-534-8863
SWMOA was formed in 2006 as an affiliate of the American
Membrane Technology Association (AMTA). It is dedicated to the
improvement of the quality of water supplies through desalting, reuse
and other water sciences. The Corporation's members are concerned
with design, research and development, equipment manufacture,
operation and maintenance, environmental regulations and legislation.
The Corporation's objectives include promotion, both to the public and
to elected officials, of available technologies that improve water
quality, education, training and certification of plant operation
personnel; communication within the membership; development of
meaningful interface with regulatory agencies; technology transfer; and
protection of the environment.
The Corporation is committed to the advancement of its objectives
throughout the Southwest United States region including but not
limited to Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and
New Mexico within the limits of it's resources.
Southwest Membrane
Operator Association
1035 E. Vista Way, #103
Vista, CA 92084
Ph: 888-463-0830
Fax: 772-463-0860
Email: [email protected]
Check Us Out Online
www.swmoa.org