wastewater. introduction injury prevention and safety environmental systems wastewater systems,...
TRANSCRIPT
Wastewater
Introduction
• Injury prevention and safety• Environmental systems • Wastewater systems, assessments, and
surveys• Waste handling in emergencies• Clean up • Sampling• Resource information
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module participants will
• Increase understanding of wastewater issues faced in
disasters
• Increase understanding of the role of environmental health
practitioners in addressing wastewater issues
• Be able to identify key response partners
• Increase understanding of the basic components of systems
• Practice and demonstrate basic skills related to wastewater
issues -Common tests, sampling, treatment, assessment
• Identify key messages for the public and response partners
Environmental Health Functions
• Ensure proper wastewater disposal and treatment is provided
• Prevent diseases caused by improper handling of wastewater
• Prevent contamination of water supplies• Provide information on wastewater treatment
and handling• Conduct interventions needed to protect the
public from wastewater in food service and other industries
Reasons for Concern
• Aging water and wastewater infrastructure
• Population growth
• Frequency of natural disasters
• Raw sewage releases
Impact on Wastewater Systems• Physical damage
– Treatment plants– Collection pipes– Onsite systems; septic tanks
• Loss-of-power effects• Workforce affected
Key Partners
• Emergency management agency
• State and local departments
• Public works and wastewater utilities
• Volunteer and community organizations
• Portable sanitation industry
• Septage and sewage haulers
• Emergency Support Functions (ESF)
• Industry
• Media
Roles
• Assessment
• Consultation
• Monitoring environment
• Public information
• Preparing Planning
• Leadership
• Support activities
• Liaison activities
• EH is focused on recovery
• EH is a response NEXUSWe are local
• The EH response is ONE response
EHEH
R
Three Keys of EH Response
Disaster Recovery:Wastewater
WastewaterUtilities
Deptof
Environmental Protection
State Department
of Health
County Health Department
Emergency Operations Coordination Groups
Priority Activities
• Determine whether services have been affected• Coordinate emergency waste disposal for key
facilities• Assist system operators if requested• Assess sanitation of disposal units and sites• Ensure emergency water supplies are safe• Provide information on proper waste collection
and disposal
Why WastewaterExposure to wastewater can cause numerous illnesses
BacteriaE.ColiSalmonellaShigellosisTyphoid FeverCholera
VirusesHepatitis A
FungiAspergillus
ParasitesRoundwormsCryptosporidiumGiardia
Disease Transmission
Citizens’ Priorities
• Family/safety/security
• Shelter
• Power
• Drinking water
• Food
• Ice
Injury Prevention/Safety
Safety Is Job #1
• Personal Safety • Electrocution • Carbon monoxide• Musculoskeletal hazards • Thermal stress • Structural instability • Hazardous materials• Confrontations• Fire• Drowning, mechanical• Personal protective equipment: use it!• Driving, animals, insects, slips/falls• Stress, fatigue • Confined spaces: must be trained
Emergency Wastewater
Improvised Wastewater Systems
Waste spill
Gray water from kitchen Gray water from showers
Portable showers
Emergency Waste Collection
Bladders
Tanks
Location:
Type:
PODS Food Prep
SpNS LSA Staging
(48 hrs)
Mass Feeding
I II III IV V VI
Resources Toilet 4 4 4 4 10 6
ADA Toilet 2 1 2 0 NA 2
Hand Wash
Station
1 4 1 0 NA 6
Dumpsters 1 1 1 1 NA 2
Services Toilet Daily Daily Daily Daily Once Daily
Hand Wash
Station
Daily Daily Daily Daily NA Daily
Dumpsters 3rd Day 3rd Day 3rd Day 3rd Day NA 3rd Day
Florida Sanitary Package(SanPac)
Special Needs Shelter: Type III SanPac
• SanPac= 4 portable toilets, 2 handicap-accessible toilets, 1 hand wash sink, 1 dumpster
• Remember to order with service
Standard SanPacTitle XXXXXX COUNTY COMFORT STATIONS REQUEST SANPAC
Organization Xxxxxxx County Health Department
Phone Number 999-999-9999 ext 9999
Fax Number 999-999-9999 ext 9999
Contact Name
Contact Email
Date/Time Mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM
Incident Ivan 2004
Request Request for ___ SANPAC at:Provide a specific location. Daily Service Required.
On Scene Contact Provide on scene contact
Phone Number Contact number for on scene contact.
Assign to: ESF8
Super SanPac:Order form
Title XXXXXX COUNTY COMFORT STATIONS REQUEST SUPER SANPAC
Organization Xxxxxxx County Health Department
Phone Number 999-999-9999 ext 9999
Fax Number 999-999-9999 ext 9999
Contact Name
Contact Email
Date/Time Mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM
Incident Ivan 2004
Request Request for SUPER SANPAC at:Provide a specific location. __ portable toilets with hand sanitizers.__ handicap portable toilets with hand sanitizers__ handwash facilities (soap & water) for food preparation/service area. __ handwash facilities (soap & water) located with portable toilets.__ dumpsters Daily Service Required.
On Scene Contact Provide on scene contact
Phone Number Contact number for on scene contact.
Assign to: ESF8
Customized SanPac
Toilet grid for residences• One portable toilet for every two residences• One hand wash sink for every five portable toilets
(hand sanitizer at each portable toilet)• Order service plan
Emergency Waste DisposalHow to flush with no
water supply
Emergency Facilities at Home
Options:• Use campers/motor homes with restroom and holding
tank • Create a homemade port-a-john:
– Use 5-gallon buckets lined with heavy-duty plastic garbage bags – Add deodorizer such as lime, household bleach or kitty litter – Keep buckets in a cool, dark place, tight lid – Do not throw human waste in regular trash – Dispose of waste by flushing down the toilet when services are
restored or bury – Clean and disinfect buckets
• Modify existing toilet: – Flush until the bowl has no water– Line with heavy-duty trash bags and disinfect with chlorine
bleach after each use– When full, tie shut and remove to an outside location
Exercise
• A Gymnasium is to be used as a shelter for 1000 people. After review of the floor plan. Determine the number of additional portable toilets and hand washing stations that would be needed for the facility.– Number of toilets– Number of hand washing stations – Recommend area of placement– What other items should be considered
Note: use California Manual - ratio of 1 toilet per 20 people and 1 hand sink per 15 people
Drinking Water Supplies and Wastewater
Wastewater Treatment Process
Primary Secondary Final/Advanced
Wastewater Collection System
Treatment Plant
Sewage Lift Station
Sewage Lift Station
Sewage Lift Station
Public Sewer System IssuesPublic Sewer System Issues
Collection System Damages
Collection System Damages
Treatment System Damages
Salt water intrusion
Flooded Plant
Physical damage
Emergency Generators
Emergency Response and Preparedness
Water and Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARN)
Additional WARN Resources:
AWWA WaterWeek Article AWWA Mainstream Article
Journal AWWA Article WARN White Paper
Simple Mutual Aid Agreement Update to Sample Agreement - 09/07
Joint Policy Statement EPA EMAC Tip Sheet for Water Sector
EPA Water Sector Mutual Aid & Assistance Fact Sheet WARN FAQ
WARN Status and Contacts by State
Public WastewaterSystem Issues
• Engineered safety factors compromised
• Flooded lift station overloaded the down line station
• Residents not minimizing water usage
• Private well unpredictable flows
• Shortage of replacement power poles
Public WastewaterSystem Issues
• Inadequate generator capacity • Lift station without proper wiring connections • Inadequate lift station identification• Lack of septage pumping trucks • Infrastructure problems• Aging infrastructure for wastewater facilities
Lessons Learned by Public Wastewater Utilities
• Smart utilities: join WARN• Provide adequate number of high capacity
generators for lift stations• Purchased extra mobile generators and sewage
pumping equipment• Establish contracts with private septage pumping
companies • Establish local utility agreements
Lessons Learned (continued)
• Knowledge of community wastewater operations• Listing of WWTPs• Current utility listing, maps• List of RV parks with sewage dump stations• Printed list of septage and portable toilet
companies• Emergency plans and contact information• List of key contacts
• Review form and how information will be compiled and processed • Have process to prioritize identified imminent health hazards
Assessment Process
Rapid Damage Assessment
Water and wastewater facility report
Exercise• You are the environmental health officer assigned
to a host community shelter with 5000 residents. A water main has broken affecting water supply to the building. It will 24-48 before water pressure is restored. Bottled water is plentiful but toilets will not flush.– What options do you have for collecting human waste?– What emergency actions would you recommend?
Onsite Wastewater Systems
Onsite Wastewater Systems
Septic tanks
Wells and Wastewater
Fractured rock
Onsite Systems in the Community
Diagram adapted from: Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual, 2002 USEPA
After the Flush ?
Four components of onsite systems
● Collection and Transmission
● Pretreatment
● Application and Distribution
● Effluent Dispersal and Final Treatment
Standard Septic System
In the Tank
The Drainfield
Septic Drainfield Installation
Two major categories of onsite systems
• Conventional/Standard Systems
• Advanced/Alternative/Supplemental Systems
Mound Systems
Low Pressure Pipe System
NSFC
Advanced treatment
Cutaway of Intermittent Sand Filter
Texas A&M Onsite Demonstration Site
Peat filtration
Artificial media filtersChlorinated effluent
Onsite System IssuesPhysical damage to onsite systems
Onsite System Issues Storm Surge and Onsite System Damage
Onsite System Damage
Video Presentation
Onsite System Issues Trees uprooted drainfield
Onsite System Issues Floating and collapsed septic tanks
Onsite System IssuesErosion
Onsite System IssuesFlooded drainfied
Onsite System IssuesPhysical hazards created by septic systems
FEMA Helps:Onsite Systems and Wells
FEMA to provide sewer, septic tank reimbursement
REPAIR COSTS FOR HURRICANE-RELATED DAMAGE TO WELLS AND SEPTIC SYSTEMS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM FEMA
BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana residents in disaster-declared parishes whose wells or septic systems were damaged as a result of Hurricanes Katrina or Rita may be eligible for financial assistance from The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete necessary repairs.
Homeowners in declared areas may be eligible for grant funding to pump septic tanks, perform required repairs or replace the system as needed. Damaged private wells that are the sole source of water for the home also may be repaired or decontaminated.
"We don't want anyone living in a house with contaminated water or raw sewage," said FEMA Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells. "Applicants for state and federal disaster assistance should advise the FEMA inspector they have a private well and septic system." Home-repair grants are designed to restore the home to a safe, secure and functional condition. To qualify for this disaster assistance, applicants must own their home, and the home must be their primary residence. Grants are not intended to restore a home to pre-disaster condition and cannot be used for cosmetic repairs or repairs covered by insurance. Any Louisiana resident in a declared parish who suffered damage or losses from the recent hurricanes can register for disaster assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The number for people with hearing or speech impairment is (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Individuals may also register for disaster assistance at the FEMA Web site www.fema.gov.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.ohsep.louisiana.gov.
Helping Onsite System Owners
• Information on your agency’s Web site
• Prepare brochures and handouts for disaster preparedness events
• Attend Homeowners’ Association meetings
• Provide homeowners with as-built system locations
Helping Onsite Systems Owners
• Know location of septic system
• Understanding the system
• Limit waste stream, conserve water
• Obtain emergency generators if needed
Helping Onsite System Owners• Provide lists of
– Portable toilet companies– Septic tank service companies
• Advice on proper use of lime for sewage overflows, etc.
• Advice on disinfection and cleaning • Provide information through
– Home improvement centers– Community centers– FEMA
• Information phone lines
Lessons Learned
• Potential contamination drinking water sources• Standards for systems serving emergency
housing• Sufficient locations identified for land application
of treated waste • Establish list of treatment plants accepting
portable toilet waste and septage, established MOUs
• Portable toilets that are moved or stolen and being ordered in insufficient quantity or without service plan
Exercise –Onsite System
• Your county has experienced a flood…..Environmental Health staff have been working on daily “Sit-Reps” on all issues of public and environmental health….your EH Director decides that a press release/public health advisory is necessary for owners of onsite systems in your county.
– What items of information should you include in a public health advisory
Other considerations:
• Mobile/manufactured homes
• Limited septage treatment/disposal sites
• Availability of service providers (operations and maintenance personnel)
Sewage Backup and Spill Cleanup
Flooding and Sewage BackupDaytona Beach News-Journal, Last update: June 02, 2005 By MELISSA GRIGGS, Staff Writer
City settles effluent claim ORMOND BEACH -- City officials have agreed to pay a woman for damages to her home after it was flooded with raw sewage during Hurricane Frances. Barbara Sandberg, who lives in the 500 block of Riverside Drive, settled her claim with the city for $7,455, according to city records. The flooding on Sept. 17 damaged her floors, carpets, furniture and other personal property. City Attorney Randy Hayes said the city's claim committee denied Sandberg's request for reimbursement but she appealed to the City Commission, which approved a settlement.
Hayes determined the city had not been negligent and the sewer backup was caused by a loss of power to a lift station during the hurricane. Sandberg argued the city should have installed a backup generator at the lift station.
Another city resident, Charles Folcik, also has filed a claim against the city after sewage damage to his home. "Somebody from the city was working on the sewer lines and somehow the sewer backed up into our home," said Folcik, who lives in the 400 block of Ocean Shores Blvd. "A member of our family was in the bathroom at the time and got sprayed with backed up sewage." Folcik submitted a claim for $9,539 in damages from the Sept 13 incident.
"We had to tear out our carpets," he said. "They were soaked to the floor. The bathroom erupted. Our washroom erupted. The walls were soaked."
Folcik said his repair expenses will be even more now because the house has developed mold. "I want the city to live up to its obligations," he said. Hayes said the city is waiting to receive receipts and other information to document the claim. He said
Folcik's claim is not related to the same lift station failure that caused the damage to Sandberg's home. "We need to get additional information to further evaluate his claim," said Hayes. "The claim committee
has reviewed his claim. It hasn't been approved or denied. We simply don't have enough information. "Hopefully we will be able to work with him to get it resolved soon," said Hayes.
FEMA Guidance: Sewage Backup
• In flood-prone areas, flooding can cause sewage from sanitary sewer lines to back up into houses through drain pipes “basements are prone to problems”
• Backflow valves - prevention measure– Valve prevents flow in reverse direction – Variety of designs
• Use licensed plumbers to install
Backflow Valve
Preventing Backup
• Elder valve
Backflow
© 2005 Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District
Sewage Spill Cleanup
• Determine the limits• Contain the spill• Use PPE:• Spread powdered lime over the entire spill area• Remove material such playground sand• Allow a day to dry • Rake up excess and place in heavy garbage bag • Revegetate area • Treat hard surfaces with lime or a bleach/water solution • Wash hands and protect open wounds
Sewage Cleanup and Remediation Procedure
Sewage Spill Treatment: Lime (Hydrated Lime)
Note: No hand or eye protection
Workers applying lime to spill X
Calcium Hypochlorite (HtH)
Sewage Spill Protocol
Flood WatersToxic Soup or Not?
• What test should be done?
• Recreation water testing– Bacteriologic – Chemical test
• Flood water testing
• Health messages
Sampling Methods
• Bacteriologic – Common tests: fecal and enteric – Regulations (recreation water)
• Chemical– Common tests: metals, hydrocarbons, and
pesticides– Regulations (recreation water)
Sampling Procedures
• Chemical– Use containers supplied by laboratory
• Biological– At lab within 6 hours of collection
• Allow for difficult travel conditions
– 18” below surface of water– Use sampling container and water scoop
Transportation Constraints
Sewage and Surface Water
Sewage Release to Surface Water
• Post the area and notify media that beach has been posted
• Notify state environment and public health agencies• Inform local vendors • Pull samples in area and test for fecal coliform and
enterococci• Ensure spill has been cleaned up; lime
if needed• State notification
Sewage/Septage Waste Disposal
• Using sanitary sewer plants or septage land application sites
Recommendation – Sewer BackupJeb Bush M. Rony Francois, MD, MSP, PhD. Governor ______ Secretary
HURRICANE INFORMATION SHEET
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SEWER OR SEWAGE BACKUPS
To Local Residents:
Due to the hurricane you may be experiencing difficulties with your septic system not functioning properly. If your system is operated by a dosing tank, it will not function without electricity. You should refrain from using water in your home as much as possible until electricity is restored. The tanks will fill up without dosing water to the drainfield. This may cause backups of raw sewage in your home.
If a sewage backup has occurred in your home, secure the areas affected from access. Keep children out of wet areas that are affected by sewage. If your entire home has been saturated, abandon the home until all affected areas, including but not limited to carpets, rugs, sheetrock, drywall, and baseboards, have been remediated.
If sewage has overflowed in open areas or streets, etc., avoid these areas and keep children out of the these areas.
Do not let children play in flood waters as these waters may be affected by sewage also.
If you live in a low lying or flood prone area, be advised that the ground in your area may already be saturated due to the heavy rainfalls during and after the hurricane. You should use household water as little as possible to prevent backups of sewage in your home.
If you are having problems in areas served by sewer systems, please contact your utility company to insure they are aware of problems in your area.
If you have questions, please contact the Volusia County Health Department office nearest you.
Public Health Advisory
• If sewage has backed up into your home, secure the affected areas from access
• Keep children and pets out of wet areas affected by sewage
• If your entire home has been saturated, move to temporary housing until all carpeting, rugs, sheetrock, baseboards, etc. have been properly cleaned and disinfected
• When making repairs to the outside of your home after the flooding or storm has passed, do not allow any vehicles to park on top of your septic tank system!
Public Health Advisory
• Wear rubber boots and gloves when cleaning up affected areas
• Discard any items that cannot be disinfected or cleaned properly (advise on how to make a proper disinfecting solution)
• After cleaning, help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers if possible
• Wash all clothing contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent
• Wash hands
1. What should you do if there is sewage in your home?Limit access to the area.Keep everyone, especially children and pets out of all wet areas in your home.After the sewage is no longer backing up, clean all areas thoroughly, this includes but is not limited to carpets, sheetrock, drywall, and baseboards.If your entire home has sewage in it, you may need to leave until all areas have been cleaned.
Main MessageThe County Health Department is concerned about your health and the spread of disease, keeping pets, children and others out of areas that are contaminated with sewage, will help
prevent disease from spreading.
2. If you have a septic tank:Limit the use of water in your home as much as possible.The dosing tank will not operate without electricity.Flood prone areas and areas filled with water will not allow the septic tank to operate properly until the drainfield dries out.
3. What can you do to prevent illness?If you come in contact with the sewage, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.Wash clothes that come in to contact with sewage in hot water, and dry them on high heat. Discard them if they are heavily soiled.If you become ill with symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, see you doctor.
4. If you have city or municipal sewage:Contact your utility company to let them know you are having problems.If you do not know who your utility company is, contact the citizen’s information line at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.
Message Diagram: There is sewage in my home, what can the health department do about this?
Next Steps
REFERENCES• Alabama Public Health Training Network; A Division of the Alabama Department of
Public Health: http://www.adph.org/ALPHTN
• American Water Works Association; Water and Wastewater Agency Response Networks:
http://www.awwa.org/Government/Content.cfm?ItemNumber=3837&&navItemNumber=3838
• Arkansas Watershed Advisory Group:
http://www.awag.org/Education.html
• California Department of Public Health - Beaches and Recreational Waters: Regulations and Guidance:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/environhealth/water/Pages/Beaches.aspx
• City of Pensacola: Post-Disaster Recovery and Redevelopment:
http://escambia-emergency.com/Local_Mitigation/LMSdraftupdate/E-MitigationPlan/CityofPensacolaPostDisaster/PostDisasterRedevelopment.pdf
REFERENCES• CDC / HUD Healthy Housing Reference Manual: http://
www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/books/housing/housing.htm
• CDC: Sanitizing With Bleach After a Disaster: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/bleach.asp
• EH Preparedness Contact Information Map by County (Florida): http://def.sharepoint.doh.ad.state.fl.us/deh/Preparedness/countycontactmap.aspx
• Elder Valve Inc: http://www.eldervalve.com
• EPA: What Happens After the Flush:
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/what_happens_after_the_flush.pdf
• EPA, How Wastewater Treatment Works The Basics:
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/bastre.pdf
• EPA Water Quality Standards: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards
REFERENCES• EPA Wastewater Online Articles:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/water/owrccatalog.nsf
• EPA: What Can You Do to Protect Local Waterways?
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/centralized_brochure.pdf
• EPA’s Sustaining Our Nation’s Water Infrastructure:
http://www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure/pdfs/brochure_si_sustainingournationswaters.pdf
• EPA’s Sustainable Infrastructure for Water and Wastewater-Basic Information:
http://www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure/basicinformation.html
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Surface Water Quality Standards:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wqssp/surface.htm
• FEMA ESF List: www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf
• FEMA: Protecting Your Property From Flooding:
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/prevent/howto/how2007.pdf
REFERENCES• Information on Louisiana Disaster Recovery: www.fema.gov
www.ohsep.louisiana.gov
• New York Times: Sewage Spill During the Blackout Exposed a Lingering City Problem:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage
• Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District: Flooding/Sewer Backup Determination:
http://www.floridadep.org/mainpage/em/2005/dennis/news/0712_03.htm
• Red Cross: http://www.tallytown.com/redcross/library/FS-SewerBackflowValves
• Septic Systems - What to Do after a Flood:
http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/septicflood.htm
REFERENCES• Kitsap County Health District Water Quality Program-Policy and
Procedure:
http://www.kitsapcountyhealth.com/environmenta_health/water_quality/docs/policy_sewage_spill
• U.S. Global Change Research Program: http://www.usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/default.php
• Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District:
http://www.vsfcd.com/report.htm
• Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia: Demographics of the United States:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_States
Questions?
Optional Exercise - Sewage Spill
• The health department just received a phone call from the local utility company stating that there has been a major sewage spill on the beach. An unknown amount of sewage has gone into a popular recreational lake. – What are your next steps?