Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Shari Stamer, Water Quality Manager
CC:	Chris Stewart, Acting Utilities Director
DATE:	November 20, 2006
RE:	Water Quality Technology Conference

I recently attended the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Quality Technology Conference (WQTC) in Denver from November 5-9. The conference sessions I attended which were most relevant and beneficial to the City of Lawrence Department of Utilities included:

• Distribution Systems
• Future Regulations [LT2, Stage2]
• Emerging Contaminants in Water Samples and Relevance to Estrogenicity
• Emergency Response
• Contamination Warning Systems
• Taste and Odor
• Communicating with the Public – The Value of Water

Sessions focused on distribution systems and compliance with present and future regulations, as well as the challenge of providing the customer a quality product with confidence. Objectives and goals for compliance were discussed, such as enhanced water quality monitoring, frequency, identification of contaminants, nitrification action plan monitoring and watershed protection. Water utilities need to keep developing and implementing Vulnerability Assessments and Emergency Response Plans. Water managers should promote a willingness and reliance on real time distribution system monitoring. Communication with customers is essential in order to continue providing excellent and responsive service.

 “Do more than just meet the regulation” 

City of Lawrence personnel have been proactive in areas of monitoring, analysis (in-house screens such as nitrite and nitrate) and investigation and identification of potential problems in the distribution system. Data collection for the Long Term 2 Regulation commenced in July 2006, ahead of schedule for regulation implementation.  Quotes have been obtained to begin baseline monitoring for estrogen and other hormones and phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals. Results have been tabulated dating back to 1996 for taste and odor parameters, algae identification, and MIB, Geosmin and TO complaints. Samples are also being collected and analyzed on a daily basis from the towers which is beneficial for operational purposes. We have a lot of data which is pending review, which appears to be a common challenge for many of the water utilities.

Thank you for allowing me to attend this conference.  I feel the knowledge I have gained regarding new ideas and technology will be very valuable to the City of Lawrence. I am proud to say that the Utilities Department appears to be in line with many best practices for water utilities.