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GRUMBLES ON WATER ~ BY BENJAMIN GRUMBLES

Benjamin Grumbles
Benjamin Grumbles is the assistant administrator for water at the U.S. EPA. From 1993 to 2004, Grumbles was an adjunct professor of law at George Washington University Law School.

Tap Water: From Best to Far from Perfect   Water & Wastes Digest October 2007   By Neda Simeonova
New Laws, Old Systems, but Who Will Pay?   Water & Wastes Digest September 2007   By Neda Simeonova
Send-off   Water & Wastes Digest July 2007   By Tim Gregorski
Decentralized Wastewater Systems   Water & Wastes Digest August 2005   By Craig Lindell
In the new world of water, the command and control structures, and most of the language and processes that supported the public health and water pollution control approaches to wastewater management are not sufficient to address nonpoint pollution, the integrity of the coastal zone ecology, sustainable watershed standards or water reuse.
Caldwell Tanks Goes the Extra Mile for Kids   Water & Wastes Digest May 2005   By Denise Covelli
Caldwell Tanks of Louisville, Ky., helped create this unique tank design for Kyle and Pattie Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp, which opened last summer to provide a haven for chronically ill children.
Finding Leaks Leads to Saving Money   Water & Wastes Digest February 2005   By Betsy Loeff
We hate the expression unaccounted-for water,” Carl Yates, the utility’s general manager, said. “So we started using our SCADA system to monitor nighttime flows in an effort to understand consumption patterns and identify potential problems.”
Ten Practices of Highly Effective Water Utilities   Water & Wastes Digest December 2004   By Janice A Beecher
The concept of continuous improvement complements the idea of developing a water systems’ capabilities over time to ensure safe and reliable water service.
Increasing Reliability while Reducing Maintenance Costs   Water & Wastes Digest December 2004   By Mark Granger
The rapid growth of a large city in the south is overwhelming the current water distribution system and straining the already overworked staff.
How to Skate Through an OSHA Inspection   Water & Wastes Digest December 2004
In those inspections last year, OSHA found 83,539 total safety violations, an 8% increase over fiscal 2002.
Mishawaka Utilities Serves Up High-Quality Water   Water & Wastes Digest September 2004   By Wayne King
Two-phase water system expansion in Indiana depends on technological advancements
Securing the Nation’s Wastewater Infrastructure   Water & Wastes Digest September 2004   By Denise Covelli
The nation’s wastewater infrastructure is one of America’s most valuable assets, and several industry groups are working hard to safeguard it.
Triple Option Offers Savings   Water & Wastes Digest June 2004
Ninety percent is the savings in capital cost that HDR, Inc., has been able to provide to the Oro Loma (Calif.) Sanitary District.
Public-Private Partnerships Continue to Flourish   Water & Wastes Digest May 2004   By Eric Risch
While the number of public-private partnerships continues to grow, the full potential of private sector involvement has yet to be realized.
Interested in Saving Money? Control Your Life Cycle Costs   Water & Wastes Digest February 2004   By Tim Gregorski
In-depth analysis of equipment life cycle costs and educated decisions by utility managers can help minimize unexpected expenses while maximizing production life.
A Surprise Coating Solution   Water & Wastes Digest January 2004   Lake H. Barrett, Jr.
In 1937, a one square mile parcel of land on U.S. Route 60 in Maricopa County near Surprise, Ariz., was little more than a gas station and a few small houses. In 2003, the population was expected to top 65,000. The original wastewater treatment plant had to be expanded, not once but twice.
Focus on Organization, Practices and Technology Paying Off for Tampa   Water Engineering & Management April 2003   Barb Luck
By focusing on people, practices and technology, the Tampa Department of Sanitary Sewers plant has achieved significant progress toward meeting its goal of becoming a world-class competitive organization. In order to facilitate people skills, a significant training and certification program was developed. Practices were evaluated and modified to support more flexible and productive employees. Technology was assessed with an eye toward achieving the best practices by using appropriate supporting technologies.
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A Simple Tool to Evaluate the True Cost of Growth   Water Engineering & Management February 2003   David Eckhoff
When a random sample of Utahans were asked in January 2000 what was the most important issue facing Utah today, growth ranked at the top of the list. Growth is inevitable. However, something can be done to control development patterns to head off crowding, congestion, pollution and lost open space.
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Meeting the Challenge: Revitalizing the Las Vegas Wash   Water Engineering & Management October 2001
In response to growing concerns over water quality issues in the Wash, a committee has developed a comprehensive adaptive management plan to save this primary outlet for water flows.
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Headworks: Removing Inorganics and Preventing Wear   Water Engineering & Management October 2001   Kenny Oyler
This article details headworks designs and shows how the system fits into the scheme of the wastewater treatment process.
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Flexible Monitoring System Helps Ohio Company Meet Daily EPA Measurement Requirements   Water & Wastes Digest May 2001
An Ohio utility company provides water plant operator services to facilities throughout the state, including several very large travel center operations. Daily monitoring became time consuming and costly, so they sought a more efficient solution by investigating plant monitoring systems.
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Duty Calls For Local Awareness   Water Quality Products May 2001   Wendi Hope King
Editorial: May 6—12 is National Drinking Water Week (NDWW). It is our duty and opportunity as water professionals to make this week work for us by incorporating local companies, expertise and even the Water Quality Association (WQA) into NDWW.
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Web-Based and Wireless REVOLUTIONS   Water Quality Products May 2001   Lorraine Keating, Prism Visual Software
The media predicts that virtually all work as we know it soon will be Web-based and wireless. With the proliferation of PDAs and cell phones, and with their continually decreasing costs, this statement is hard to refute. An article published in Software Technology magazine stated that to characterize this new technology as a "revolution" is an understatement. Rather it is a "cataclysmic change."
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A Leading Team   Water Quality Products March 2001   Wendi Hope King, WQP Staff
After nine months of silence, the Osmonics team emerges renewed and ready for a future full of success.
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Data Acquisition, Legacy Systems and Your Intranet   Water & Wastes Digest February 2001   By Fred Noble
There are lots of parallels between the events of November 2000 and the events that take place in any factory or municipality that runs a process or monitors its effluent. The technology exists to achieve the much-talked-about six sigma (3.4 errors per million events) levels of measurement quality or process integrity. But antiquated legacy systems keep getting in the way. And, as is the case on the American political scene, it just is not that easy to replace those old methods of measuring things.
Managing Discontinuous Change in the Water Industry: Part 2   Water Engineering & Management February 2001   O. Mark Marcussen
Structure plays an important role in the pursuit of excellence in executing selected activities. In most industries there are three types of players: the Innovators, the Imitators and the Inheritors.
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New SCADA System Reduces Downtime at Omaha Utility   Water & Wastes Digest January 2001

Like all municipalities, the agency responsible for the distribution of natural gas and water throughout the metropolitan area of Omaha, Nebraska – the Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) – needed a SCADA system that is user-friendly and failsafe.


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Managing Discontinuous Change in the Water Industry: Part 1   Water Engineering & Management January 2001   O. Mark Marcussen
Managing during a pattern of change is one thing; dealing with unforseen changes is another. This article provides observations of how managers operate effectively in treacherous times.
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Global Yet Local: An Interview with Andrew Seidel of Vivendi Water.   Water Engineering & Management November 2000   Bill Swichtenberg
President and COO of Vivendi Water North America talks about the company's mission.
Toledo Water Treatment Plant Switches to PC-based SCADA   Water & Wastes Digest November 2000
The Collins Park Water Treatment Facility at Toledo, Ohio, recently replaced its obsolete operator interface system with Windows NT-based OpenEnterprise software.
Optimizing the Water Business Enterprise   Water Engineering & Management September 2000   Terrance M. Brueck and Paul G. Cassidy
A value chain approach to running a water business can break down organizational barriers to improve performance throughout the enterprise.
Managing People: Your Most Difficult, Most Rewarding Task, Part II   Water Quality Products February 2000   G.A. "Andy" Marken
When you really understand yourself and your interrelationship with people who work with and for you, everyone can accomplish more. The following article is continued from the January issue.
Renewing the Value of a Leader   Water Quality Products February 2000   Wendi Hope King
Q&A. Following troubled times, Jim Cederna was called upon to help transform Calgon Carbon into the prosperous venture that it once was.
Lessons From the Field: Private Sector Involvement in Water Projects   Water Engineering & Management February 2000   Zane O. Gresham and Katherine E. Shlaudeman
Renewing a Leader Brick By Brick: An Interview with Calgon Carbon's Jim Cederna   Water Engineering & Management February 2000   Bill Swichtenberg
The Importance of Enhancing the Image of Engineers   Water Engineering & Management March 1999   Robert L. Sylar, P.E.
This article details why the National Society of Professional Engineers is tryinbg to improve public knowledge of the role engineers play in society.
Bill Processing Simplified by the Internet   Water Engineering & Management November 1998   Kara Wipf
Sending and paying bills online can reduce paper waste and save a significant amount of money for the billing company.
Privatization of Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Promising Opportunities,   Water Engineering & Management November 1997   Timothy J. Donnellon, CPCU, P.E.
rivatization Abstract:The revision of IRS tax codes has encouraged a flurry of utility privatization, creating numerous opportunities for the private sector.
Work Management Project to Save LA Department $3 Million Per Year   Water Engineering & Management October 1997
Long-Term Lease of Treatment Systems Becomes an Option   Water Engineering & Management October 1997   Dan Soltis
In a 25-year test case, Cranston leases its public wastewater assets, allowing the private sector to make necessary capital improvements.
Citizens Advisory Groups: The Pluses, The Pitfalls and Better Options   Water Engineering & Management October 1997   George F. Farris
When should a utility initiate an advisory group, how should the group be set up and how can it be kept under control?
Company Saves Money with New Customer Information System   Water Engineering & Management September 1997
Education Program in Place at New Wastewater Treatment Facility   Water Engineering & Management September 1997
Objectives Matrix Provides Information Balance   Water Engineering & Management September 1997   Dr. Hans D. Allender, P.E.
Keeping track of and improving a company's weak spots can be simplified and generalized by using performance indicators.
Communication is the Key to Water Company's Efforts   Water Engineering & Management March 1997   Bill Swichtenberg
The customers are the most important people in the water community, and one water company has discovered that keeping them informed boosts the company's success.
Defining a "Common Language" For Operations and Financial Benchmarking   Water Engineering & Management February 1997
Lack of uniformity in the definitions of industry elements prompted the formation of a Common Language Team
Unknown Exposures are Potential Liabilities for Wastewater Treatment Plants   Water Engineering & Management November 1996   Victoria L. Ostertag, ARM
While wastewater treatment plants have the potential to contaminate the surrounding environment, their exposures can be addressed to reduce potential liabilities.
Wastewater Plants High Risk for Civil Engineers   Water Engineering & Management November 1996
Employee Ownership and the Success of Westech Engineering   Water Engineering & Management November 1996   Ed Carberry
If implemented properly, employee stock ownership plans can provide for business continuity and increase company performance.
Best Professional Judgment: A Synthesis of Environmental Law, Waste Discharge, Effluent Limitations and Engineering Ethics   Water Engineering & Management October 1996   Salvador M. Sebasco, P.E.
Regardless of your title, it is your duty to hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public, the environment and fellow workers when making Best Professional Judgments.
Public-Private Water Partnerships Benefit All of New Jersey   Water Engineering & Management September 1996   Don Correll
Innovative partnerships between public and private water entities could open the way for municipalities to reduce costs and meet requirements.
Educating Customers on the Importance of Quality Water Development, Treatment and Delivery   Water Engineering & Management April 1996   Nancy Parker
Artesian Water Company, Inc. has found that a situation where their customers understand quality water and how to use it efficiently is the best possible relationship.
Do You Need a Remote Backup Service?   Water Engineering & Management March&nbs