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  Hidden Dangers of Improperly Abandoned or Constructed Wells Steve Walker, P.G.,  Source Water Specialist,  Georgia Rural Water Association Even though approximately 70% of the earth is covered in water, only about 1-2% of that water is considered drinkable. With humans inhabiting almost every corner of the earth, its easy to see how safe drinking water has always been somewhat of a concern. Here in Georgia, early settlers collected rain water, utilized springs or hand dug wells to obtain drinkable water. Dug wells gradually became more common and allowed people to settle in areas further from drinking water springs. As medical science advanced through the 1800s, people became more aware of the link between unclean drinking water and illness. This knowledge coupled with an ever increasing technical/mechanical ability, fueled the use of machines to drill wells deeper in search of cleaner, more prolific groundwater sources. These steel-cased (or other tubular casing materials) dri
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  Troubleshooting Fixed Film Systems   The goal of this article is: 1.     1. To illustrate through actual case studies how to use the Four Basic Concepts of Wastewater in actual practice for fixed-film systems. 2.     2. To illustrate the importance of using the O&M Manual to gain an accurate understanding of the design parameters of the system in operation. Learn Theory! Learn Theory! Learn Theory! If you know theory you can use it! If you don’t know theory you can’t use it! ____________________________________________________________________________________   The Georgia Rural Water Association is always available to assist any municipality that serve a population of <10,000 with process control, troubleshooting, training, lift station maintenance, smoke testing, leak detection, standard operating procedure development, asset management development, or any other compliance and operational issues that may crop up. To request their assistance, please contact them
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  Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate: The Fifteen Minute BOD   The goal of this article is: 1.        To introduce readers to the marvelous benefits of the Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate Learn Theory! Learn Theory! Learn Theory! If you know theory you can use it! If you don’t know theory you can’t use it! Thinking in terms of complex systems is difficult. Many people, even after studying for years, do not understand basic principles. Systems thinking is often counterintuitive at many points. It takes many years to gain any degree of skill, and it still often eludes us. (Extraordinary Leadership: Thinking Systems, Making a Difference, 2009, Reberta M. Gilbert, M.D, pg 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________   The Georgia Rural Water Association is always available to assist any municipality that serve a population of <10,000 with process control, troubleshooting, training, lift station maintenance, smoke testing, leak detection, st
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  Biological Nutrient Removal Basics II   The goal of this article is: 1.        To discuss the purpose of recycle in configurations other than SBRs. 2.        To review inhibiting BNR processes. Learn Theory! Learn Theory! Learn Theory! If you know theory you can use it! If you don’t know theory you can’t use it! (Extraordinary Leadership: Thinking Systems, Making a Difference, 2009, Reberta M. Gilbert, M.D, pg 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________ The last article discussed some basic BNR concepts as it relates to sequencing batch reactors. This article will cover how these concepts can be applied to configurations other than SBR’s. Figure 1 below illustrates the configuration of a 5-Stage Bardenpho Process. FIGURE 1 The 5-Stage Bardenpho Process Recycle The primary difference between an SBR and more conventional configurations is the SBR is divided TIME while other treatment configurations are divided by SPACE
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Basics of the Biological Nutrient Removal Process   The goal of this article is:   To Introduce the reader to the basic framework of the Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) Process.  To provide basic guidance in using this basic framework in optimizing and troubleshooting BNR processes. Learn Theory! Learn Theory! Learn Theory! If you know theory you can use it! If you don’t know theory you can’t use it! Thinking in terms of complex systems is difficult. Many people, even after studying for years, do not understand basic principles. Systems thinking is often counterintuitive at many points. It takes many years to gain any degree of skill, and it still often eludes us. (Extraordinary Leadership: Thinking Systems, Making a Difference, 2009, Reberta M. Gilbert, M.D, pg 5) This article is not a primer or refresher on nitrification, denitrification or phosphorous removal. It assumes the reader already has a basic understanding of these processes. If you feel you need a refresher,
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  The Four Pillers of Activated Sludge   The goal of this article is: To Introduce the reader to the basic framework of activated sludge troubleshooting and process control.    To provide basic guidance in using this basic framework in optimizing and troubleshooting the activated sludge Learn Theory! Learn Theory! Learn Theory! If you know theory you can use it! If you don’t know theory you can’t use it! Thinking in terms of complex systems is difficult. Many people, even after studying for years, do not understand basic principles. Systems thinking is often counterintuitive at many points. It takes many years to gain any degree of skill, and it still often eludes us. (Extraordinary Leadership: Thinking Systems, Making a Difference, 2009, Reberta M. Gilbert, M.D, pg 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________   The Georgia Rural Water Association is always available to assist any municipality that serve a population of <10,0
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