United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Washington, D.C. 20460
Office of Municipal
Pollution Control
WH-595
March 1990
oEPA
In This Issue
Welcome to Municipal
Technology Network News
(P-1)
OMPC Launches Technol-
ogy Transfer Network: Help-
Ing Municipalities Face the
1990s (p. 1)
Models Predict the Fate of
Toxics In POTWs (p. 1)
Nominations for Benefi-
cial Sludge Use Awards
Now Being Accepted
(P-2)
What's Happening with the
Part 503 Sludge Regulations
(p. 3)
The Carolina Bays Wet-
Lands Treatment Program:
Treating Wastewater and
Improving Environmental
Quality (p. 4)
EPA Evaluates High
Blomass System Upgrades
(P-5)
CERI Publishes Fine Pore
Aeration Design Manual
(p. 5)
Open Channel Modules:
The New Generation of UV
Disinfection Systems (p. 6)
The Wastewater Treatment
Information Exchange Com-
puter Bulletin Board (p. 7)
Upcoming Events and New
Resources (p. 8)
Municipal
Technology
Network News
Welcome to Municipal
Technology Network News
Welcome to the first issue of
Municipal Technology Network
News, a newsletter of the Office of
Municipal Pollution Control (OMPC).
This publication replaces the Innova-
tive/Alternative (I/A) Update, which was
issued as part of the I/A Technology Pro-
gram, and more clearly reflects the
broader objectives of OMPC in the cur-
rent regulatory environment.
The phaseout of the Federally
funded Construction Grants Program
has led all levels of government and the
private sector to make significant
changes in the way they pay for
municipal wastewater treatment. To
protect the Federal investment made
under this program and to continue to
assist municipalities in maintaining com-
OMPC Launches
Technology
Transfer Network
Helping Municipalities Face
the 1990s
The 1990s will present the states
and municipalities with serious chal-
lenges in terms of wastewater collec-
tion and treatment. Not only must
states ensure that municipalities com-
ply with more stringent wastewater
treatment regulations, but they must
do so with decreased allocations of
Federal funds. To help the nation face
these challenges, OMPC has initiated
the Wastewater Technology Transfer
Network (WTTN). Broader in (seep. 7)
pliance, the Agency will enhance its ef-
forts to provide up-to-date information
on wastewater treatment technologies
and their performance. This activity,
formerly conducted under the I/A Pro-
gram, will now take place under the
newly established Wastewater Tech-
nology Transfer Network (WTTN).
As part of the WTTN, Municipal
Technology Network News will sup-
port the technology transfer efforts
developed during the past (see p. 6)
Models Predict
the Fate of Toxics
in POTWs
For many years, treatment plants
were mainly designed to remove
biological oxygen-demanding (BOD)
substances and suspended solids. In
the 1970s, nutrients were added to the
pollutants list and treatment plants
were modified to prevent nutrient dis-
charges into the receiving waters. In
the 1980s, toxic chemicals became a
major concern. Many POTWs, even
those without significant industrial con-
tributions, have had measurably toxic
effluents. For POTWs to comply with
State water quality standards, better
pretreatment and more effective treat-
ment of toxicants are now needed.
Because limited field data exist
on which to base treatment
strategies, predictive tools, such as
mathematical models, are required.
At least three models have thus far
been developed: (seep. 2)
-------
Models Predict the Fate of Toxics in POTWs
(continued from p. 1)
tk>n and volatilization, with sorption
being a less important removal
mechanism.
The rates of biodegradation,
volatilization, and sorption can
each be expressed by a pseudo
first order reaction equation. In the
three models listed above, models
for removing toxicants were
developed for each compound for
each unit process, using the ap-
propriate mass balance and
reaction equations (i.e., for bio-
degradation, volatilization, and sorp-
tion). Often, steady state and ideal
mixing conditions are assumed. The
reactor configuration (i.e., continuous
stirred tank reactor vs. plug flow reac-
tor) is also important. The success of
these models, however, depends
mainly on the accuracy of the values
used for the constants in the rate
equations. Often, these values, in
turn, depend on many other factors
and parameters. Further discussion
and review of these parameters can
be found in the literature.
Results and Recommendations
All three models in their present
form appear to give reasonable
predictions for many classes of
toxicants. Additional testing should
be carried out on other classes of
toxicants to determine the ap-
one by EPA's Office of Research and
Development in cooperation with the
University of Cincinnati, another by
EPA's Office of Water Regulations and
Standards, and the third by Environ-
ment Canada and the Ontario Ministry
of the Environment. All three models .
predict toxicants removals that are
dose to the actual removals observed
at experimental sites. It is expected
that the mathematical models will be
extensively used in developing
pretreatment programs, upgrading ex-
isting treatment plants, and setting
local limits for industrial discharges.
Principles of Mathematical Models
for Toxicants Removal
All models describe basic removal
mechanisms in mathematical terms
and develop removal rates based on
the physical, chemical, and biological
characteristics of wastewater, toxicant,
and treatment reactors. The most com-
mon mechanisms by which toxicants
are removed in POTWs are
biodegradation, volatilization, sorption
on the suspended solids and precipita-
tion, or a combination of these mech-
anisms. Not all of these mechanisms,
however, are important for all com-
pounds. For example, heavy metals
are only removed by precipitation,
whereas volatile organic compounds
are mainly removed by biodegrada-
plicabilityofthemodelsfora wider
range of toxicants. Also, pilot plant anc
bench-scale tests should be conduct e<
to expand the treatability parameter
data base, and additional full-scale
plant testing of the models should be
carried out to confirm the applicability
of the models. Furthermore, additional
removal mechanisms should be inves
tigated to determine whether the
predictrVeness of current models can
be improved.
For further information, contact Ate
E. Eralp at (202) 382-7369.
Bell, John. etal. 1989. Models for
predicting the fate of hazardous con-
taminants in wastewater treatment plants,
In: Proceedings, Fate of Chemicals in
Sewage Treatment Facilities. Pollution
Control Association of Ontario and the On
tario Ministry of the Environment. London,
Ontario, November 23. pp. 99-128.
Govind, R., et al. 1990. Development
of a fate model for organic pollutants in a
wastewater treatment plant. Presented at
the Technology Transfer Seminar on
Wastewater Treatment Plant Toxicity
Evaluation, Reduction, and Control, Jack-
sonville, FL, on March 2.
U.S. EPA. CERCLA site discharges to
POTWs treatability manual. Industrial Tech-
nology Division, (in preparation)
Nominations for Beneficial Sludge Use Awards
Now Being Accepted
The U.8. EPA will again issue Benefi-
cial Use of Sludge Awards this
year. This program, sponsored by the
U.S. EPA, Water Pollution Control
Federation (WPCF), and EPA
Regional Offices, seeks to recognize
and encourage the use o1 exceptional
advancements that promote the benefi-
cial use of municipal sewage sludge in
economical and environmentally safe
ways. Beneficial uses include prac-
tices that recycle nutrients, improve
soil conditions, or conserve valuable
natural resources.
This year's awards will be
presented in the categories of Operat-
ing Projects; Technology Develop-
ment; and Research. Anyone can
nominate candidates, including EPA
Regions, states, municipalities, consul-
tants, researchers, or other interested
parties. The Agency particularly en-
courages the submission of nomina-
tions in the Technology Development
Tentative Nomination Deadlines
May 1,1990: Regions 1, B, VI, VI, X
May 25,1990: Reatonsl,IV
June 1,1990: Regions V, ViU, DC
and Research categories. Last year,
fewer awards were given to applicant:
in these categories because of a lack
of qualified candidates. The awards
will be presented at the National
WPCF Conference to be held in
Washington, D.C. during October
1990.
Completed nomination packages
should be submitted in duplicate to th
nearest EPA Regional Office. For fur-
ther information, contact your nearest
EPA Regional Office or the Water Pol
lution Control Federation at (703) 684
2400. Ask for a copy of the OMPC
brochure, Nomination Guidance:
Beneficial Sewage Sludge Use Award
Program, January 1990.
-------
What's Happening with the
Part 503 Sludge Regulations
Status of the Proposed Sludge Use and Disposal Regulations
Everyone agrees that the
proposed Part 503 regulations1
for sewage sludge use and disposal
are complex. It's no easy task under-
standing the bases for the two risk
assessment methodologies, and the
models, background information, and
inumerable calculations used to
develop numeric limits for 28 pol-
lutants covering five major sludge
use and disposal practices. Over 650
parties submitted more than 5,500
pages of comments, representing the
views of municipalities, industries,
states, Congress, trade associations,
public interest groups, academia,
and other groups.
The majority of commenters said
that the proposed rules were overly strin-
gent, used unrealistic conservative as-
sumptions, and at a minimum, will
discourage beneficial use of sludge.
Others raised questions about how to
better define the sludge use and dis-
posal categories, terms such as de mini-
mus and "clean" sludge, and which
models, risk assessment method-
ologies, and data to use for determin-
ing the proposed numeric standards.
Although resolving these issues will
certainly be a painstaking process, it is
necessary to finalize the rulemaking
strategy and scope, draft the rulemak-
ing package, and issue the final rule
by October 1991. Following is an over-
view of the proposed Part 503 sludge
regulations and what is taking place to
get them out the door on time.
Regulation Overview
The Part 503 regulations apply to
privately or publicly owned treatment
works (POTWs) that generate or treat
domestic sewage sludge and septage
and to any person who uses or dis-
poses of sewage sludge from such
treatment works. The five sewage
sludge final use and disposal practices
covered by the proposed regulations
include application to agricultural and
nonagricultural lands; distribution and
marketing; monofilling (sludge-only
landfilling); sewage sludge surface dis-
posal; and incineration.
In addition to management practices
and monitoring, recordkeeping, and
reporting requirements, the proposed
regulations contain numeric standards
for each end use and disposal
method, which are based on sludge
concentrations or pollutant loading
limits.
National Sewage Sludge Survey
In response to the Agency's need
for up-to-date and uniform data to
help resolve the 250 issues raised in
public comments and formal peer
review by experts, and to support the
final rulemaking process, in 1989,
EPA's Office of Water Regulations and
Over 650 parties
submitted more
than 5,500 pages
of comments.
Standards (OWRS) conducted the Na-
tional Sewage Sludge Survey (NSSS).
The survey collected information from
479 POTWs on sludge use and dis-
posal practices and costs. Composite
grab samples of sludge from 181
POTWs were analyzed for metals and
inorganics, and for every organic com-
pound (including pesticides, diben-
zofurans, dioxins, and PCBs) for which
gas chromatography/ mass spectros-
copy (GC/MS) standards exist.
These data will be used in develop-
ing regulatory impact analysis and ag-
gregate risk analysis of human health,
environmental, and economic impacts
and benefits of sludge use and dis-
posal practices to help refine the Part
503 standards, and identify which addi-
tional pollutants in sewage sludge
should be regulated in the future.
OWRS plans to publish their analysis
of the new NSSS data and key issues
in the Federal Register for comment
by July 1990.
In addition to the sludge survey
data, new data submitted by the com-
menters indicate that significant
changes in the proposed standards
are possible. These changes can be
justified from a scientific basis, while
adequately protecting the public
health and the environment from
reasonably anticipated adverse effects
of sludge pollutants.
In the Meantime
Since the proposed pollutant
limits, management practices, and ap-
proach to regulating sewage sludge
use and disposal practices may
change dramatically, the Agency
recommends that states and
municipalities not use the proposed
regulations to control operating
projects or make planning decisions.
The sludge use/disposal practices
identified in the proposal will likely be
regulated, however, when the regula-
tions are issued in final form.
Until the Part 503 regulations are
finalized, currently scheduled for Oc-
tober 1991, POTWs should follow the
"Sewage Sludge Interim Permitting
Strategy" (see Notice of Availability for
this document, 54 FR 43124, October
20,1989), which establishes EPA's
policy for regulating sewage sludge
use and disposal practices. Pursuant
to the "Interim Strategy," EPA or the
states may issue sludge permits as
agreed to by the state/EPA agree-
ments. POTWs should consult their
NPDES authorities as to the ap-
propriate procedures and require-
ments. For permit writers, the "Interim
Strategy" recommends that in the ab-
sence of promulgated technical stand-
ards, the primary source of
information should be the final docu-
ment, "Guidance for Writing Case-by-
Case Permit Requirements for
Municipal Sewage Sludge" (December
1989). Copies of both the "Interim
Strategy" and the permit writers
guidance document are available from
EPA's Office of Water Enforcement
and Permits.
For more information on the Part
503 regulations, contact Alan Rubin
at (202) 475-7301 or John Walker
at (202) 382-7283. Contact Martha
Kirkpatrick at (202) 475-9529 for
further information on sludge permits.
'54 FR 5746-5902, February 6,1989, to be issued as 40 CFR Part 503.
-------
The Carolina Bays Wetlands
Treatment Program
Treating Wastewater and Improving Environmental Quality
Wetlands treatment is an innova-
tive wastewater treatment tech-
nique that harnesses the natural
energies of wetlands to renovate
wastewater, while in some cases
restoring and enhancing areas af-
fected by human activities. In this sys-
tem, wetlands act as water quality
buffers, improving the water quality of
treated effluent before it enters sensi-
tive recreational surface water. Wet-
lands treatment offers significant
advantages over conventional ad-
vanced treatment processes by con-
serving green space, producing no
chemical sludge, saving energy and
chemical costs, and requiring substan-
tially less capital investment
Wetlands Treatment In the
Carolina Bays
The Carolina Bays Wetlands Treat-
ment Program in Horry County, South
Carolina, has successfully applied this
treatment system since 1987. The
Carolina bays are shallow, swampy
basins filled with dense vegetation,
water, and peat. These bays, which
occur primarily in the coastal plain of
the CaroHnas, are biologically and
geologically unique and provide a
Because wetlands treatment has
proven successful for tertiary treat-
ment, and because Carolina bays are
abundant in the area, community plan-
ners selected this innovative waste-
water treatment alternative.
After 5 years of intensive study to
evaluate viable treatment and dis-
The Carolina Bays Treatment
Complex is designed to encourage
recreation, nature study, and
scientific research.
habitat for some rare and endangered
plant and animal species.
The population of Horry County has
grown rapkfly in recent years, neces-
stofing addtionai wastewater treatment
capacity. The Waccamaw Rrver and In-
tracoastai Waterway, the areas to which
existing faculties decharge. have little
addtkxial assimilative capacity.
posal alternatives, Horry County's
Grand Strand Water and Sewer
Authority (GSWSA), together with
their consultants CH2M Hill, the South
Carolina Department of Health and En-
vironmental Control, and EPA Region
IV, developed a plan to use over 600
acres of the bays for advanced treat-
ment. Four Carolina bays that were
ultimately chosen for the treatment
complex had been previously dis-
turbed by forestry, drainage, and other
human activities, and were found to
be the least environmentally sensitive
of the bays considered. They were
transitional between uplands and wet-
lands, and were planned to become
more wetland-like in character through
treated effluent recycling.
Pilot Study
In 1985, system designers con-
ducted baseline studies on the hydrol-
ogy, surface water and ground-water
quality, and flora and fauna of a pilot
test area, Bear Bay. Treated effluent
was discharged to this bay beginning
in 1987. The results of monitoring
changes in the water quality and
biological communities of Bear Bay
were used to define a set of operating
criteria that established allowable
levels of biological change in the four
bays of the full-scale treatment com-
plex.
By March 1988, the Carolina Bays
Wetlands Treatment Program was ap-
proved for full-scale implementation.
Ongoing monitoring indicates that sig-
nificant assimilation is occurring in
Bear Bay before the fully treated ef-
fluent flows into downstream surface
waters. Biological changes have been
slight, with the main observed effect
being increased growth of native plant
species.
Full-Scale Treatment
Construction of the George R.
Vereen Wastewater Treatment Plant is
scheduled to be completed by June
1990. The facility will treat up to 2.5
million gallons per day of wastewater
from the surrounding service area.
The treated effluent will be distributed
to the four bays through a series of
gated aluminum pipes supported on
wooden boardwalks. Wastewater flow
will be alternated among the bays,
depending on effluent flow rate and
biological conditions in the bays.
(see p. 5)
-------
EPA Evaluates
High Biomass
System Upgrades
ERA'S Risk Reduction Engineering
Laboratory (RREL) recently inves-
tigated six types of commercially avail-
able high biomass systems, some of
which were installed at eight full-scale
facilities in West Germany. These sys-
tems use inert media to support fixed film
biomass growth in activated sludge aera-
tion tanks. Many of these systems com-
bine fixed films with freely suspended
biomass and can be incorporated into
conventional aeration tanks. The inert
support media can consist of small, highly
reticulated sponge pads, racks of trickling
filter media, looped string material, or tas-
sels of a synthetic material attached to
strings.
The EPA evaluation team found im-
proved effluent quality at installations that
had converted to high biomass systems
(see Table 1). Other advantages these
systems may offer are reduced space re-
quirements, increased process stability,
and tower capital/operating costs com-
pared to building additional aeration tanks
and clarifiers (or other secondary treat-
ment processes).
Depending on the process selected,
the cost of retrofitting a 3,785 m3/day ac-
tivated sludge plant with high biomass
equipment, assuming 6 hours of contact
time in the aeration tanks was estimated
to range from $77,000 to $260,000.
A disadvantage of these systems is
the lack of well-defined design proce-
dures for predicting performance im-
provements that may occur when
various media types are installed.
Other potential disadvantages include
increased maintenance requirements
for supplemental equipment (in some
cases) and additional operator time to
achieve optimum system performance.
For more information about high
biomass systems, contact Jim
Heideman at (513) 569-7632.
Tabte 1. Results of Installing a High
Biomass System at a Freising, Germany
Wastewater Treatment Facility, 1984
Parameter
Conversion
Before After
Solids, g/L
Suspended
Fixed
Total
2,6
2,6
FMkg/kg-d 0.47
SVI4, ml/g . 485
Effluent BODs", mg/L 48
*Sludge Volume Index
Biological Oxygen Demand
5.1
1.7
6.8
0.17
85
4
Reference
Cpndren, A.J., B. Rusten., and
J. Heideman. 1989. An analysis of high
biomass systems. Presented at the 62nd
Annual Conference, Water Pollution Con-
trol Federation, San Francisco, CA.
Carolina Bays Wetlands Treatment Program
(continued from p. 4)
The Carolina Bays Nature Park
The Carolina Bays Wetlands Treat-
ment Program will not only serve waste-
water management needs, but will play
an important role in protecting the
environment. Although the Carolina
bays have been recognized as unique,
98 percent of the bays in South
Carolina have been disturbed by agricul-
tural activities and ditching. The four
bays in the Wetlands Treatment Pro-
gram, which represent one of the
largest public holdings of Carolina
bays in the state, will be maintained
in a natural ecological condition.
The treatment complex is also
designed to encourage recreation, na-
ture study, and scientific research in
the four Carolina bays. The more than
30,000 feet of boardwalks will provide
easy public access, and an interpretive
nature center will help visitors learn
about these wetland areas and about
how wetlands treatment works.
For more information about the
Carolina Bays Wetlands Treatment
Program, contact Larry Schwartz of
the GSWSA at (803) 347-4641 or
Dr. Robert Knight of CH2M Hill at
(904)331-2442.
CERI Publishes
Fine Pore
Aeration
Design Manual
In September 1989, CERI published
a new technology transfer manual on
fine pore aeration systems (Design
Manual: Fine Pore Aeration Systems
EPA/625/1-89/023). This manual is
based on the evaluation and analysis
of data collected over the past 4 years
by the American Society of Civil En-
gineers Committee on Oxygen Trans-
fer and presents the most current
design and operation and main-
tenance (O&M) data available.
Fine pore aeration is used at more
than 1,300 municipal and industrial
wastewater treatment facilities in the
United States and Canada. The replace-
ment of less efficient aeration systems
with fine pore aeration devices can
save up to 50 percent of aeration ener-
gy costs because of the high oxygen
transfer efficiencies of these devices.
The design manual describes and
characterizes alternative types of
fine pore media (ceramics, porous
plastics, and perforated membranes)
and summarizes diffusion types and
layouts. Performance data on clean
water are presented for a number of
these diffuser types and configura-
tions. Factors affecting oxygen trans-
fer and wastewater, such as fouling,
are discussed, and a process water
data base is presented.
The manual includes a design ex-
ample to detail important diffuser
and air piping design considerations.
Special emphasis is given to O&M
factors and the development of effec-
tive aeration controls. An economic
analysis procedure and a compen-
dium of empirical cost data are also
presented. The document includes
case histories to give the user an ap-
preciation for the highly site-specific
nature of this technology.
The manual can be obtained
through CERI, ORD Publications,
Room G72, 26 Martin Luther King
Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, (513)
569-7562. For more information on
Fine Pore Aeration, contact Jim
Heideman at (513) 569-7632.
-------
Open Channel Modules
The New Generation of UV Disinfection Systems
Recent studies conducted by the
U.S. EPA Office of Municipal Pollu-
tion Control (OMPC) and Risk Reduc-
tion Engineering Laboratory (RREL)
and HydroQual, Inc. indicate that
"open channel" ultraviolet (UV) disin-
fection systems are reliable for meet-
ing secondary and advanced
treatment levels. More than half of the
500 UV wastewater disinfection plants
operating in the United States today
use this new generation UV disinfec-
tion system, characterized by a series
of gravity flow channels into which one
or more lamp banks are placed. The
number of lamps is determined by
plant size and desired degree of redun-
dancy, and the lamps are installed as
modules that can be easily removed
for maintenance and repair.
Although design parameters that
have been developed are empirically
based and not fully developed, a num-
ber of recognized design criteria
should be kept in mind when design-
ing UV disinfection systems. For an
open channel system, the most effi-
cient layout is with a bank of lamps in
series, with the width of the channel
determined by the minimum aspect
ratio. The lamps can be placed
horizontally or vertically in the chan-
nel, but the exact sizing of the system
wiH vary based on a number of en-
gineering parameters. These
parameters include conformity with
plug flow and low dispersion hydrau-
lics, aspect ratio, UV system intensity,
and the quality of the treated effluent.
The primary wastewater characteris-
tics for design are the UV transmrt-
tance of the effluent, the suspended
solids concentration, and the incoming
bacterial density. Perforated stilling
plates can be used upstream of open
channel systems to encourage good ap-
proach conditions, and the liquid level in
the flowing channel can be held con-
stant by a downstream level control
device. Existing chtorinatbn plants can
be retrofit with open channel systems by
inserting the lamp modules into the
chlorine contact chambers.
The open channel modular design
has resolved many of the equipment
problems suffered by earlier systems, in-
cluding electrical wiring deficiencies, bal-
last faiures due to excessive control
panel heat, and difficult maintenance
chores due to poor accessibility of sys-
tem components. System users must
still pay attention to several design
factors, including adequate control
panel ventilation, ground fault protec-
tion, the sizing and water tightness of
electrical wiring in a submerged
and/or outdoor environment, quartz/
lamp scale, water level control, and
upstream approach to the lamp reac-
tor. Cleaning of the quartz surfaces
that surround the lamp is critical. The
most reliable cleaning method observed
has been to remove the modules from
the channel and manually dean the sur-
faces.
To obtain more information on UV
disinfection systems, contact Dr. Al-
bert D. Venosa at (513) 569-7668 or
Karl Scheible at (201) 529-5151.
Scheible, O.K. 1987. Development of a
rationally based design protocol for the
ultraviolet light disinfection process. Jour-
nal of the Water Pollution Control Federa-
tion. 59(1): 25. January.
Scheible, O.K., M.C. Casey, and A.
Fomdran. 1986. Ultraviolet disinfection of
wastewaters from secondary effluent and
combined sewer overflows. EPA 600/2-
85/005, NTIS No. PB86145182, U.S. EPA-
MERL, Cincinnati, OH.
Schetote, O.K. Ultraviolet disinfection.
In: Proceedings, Field Evaluations of
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems.
U.S. EPA-RREL, Cincinnati. OH. Decem-
ber 1988 and January 1989.
U.S. EPA 1986. Design manual -
municipal wastewater disinfection. EPA
625/1-86/021. October.
U.S.EPA. 1990. Ultraviolet disinfection
fact sheet. U.S. EPA OMPC. For copies,
contact Wendy Bell at (202) 382-7292.
U.S. EPA. 1988. Ultraviolet disinfection
special evaluation project, Region 5.
Chicago, IL September.
Welcome to MTNN
(continued from p. 1)
two decades by enhanc^ rommuntea-
tions and information exchange among
the existing network of professionals
and public officials
in (he field.
Municipal Technol-
ogy Network News
| wtf publish articles
about system per-
formance, con-
struction methods,
andnewappfca-
M^tfons of existing
processes; emerg-
ng/afternative technologies; "success
stories"; operations/maintenance and
design improvements for problem tech-
nologies-, and the latest program and
regulatory developments and activities
at Headquarters, tt also wfl inform you
of upcoming activities and available pub-
lications of interest to wastewater treat-
ment professionals, inducing those
sponsored by other networks.
Municipal Technology Network
News is intended to promote an active
exchange of technical information
among technical people who need to
keep abreast of new developments in
municipal wastewater treatment tech-
nology. With this aim in mind, we en-
courage you to send us your own
articles, ideas for topics you would like
to see addressed on these pages, and
information about upcoming meetings
and events others might like to attend.
Also, if you know of anyone who
would like to receive Municipal
Technology Network News, send his
or her name and address to Charles
Vanderiyn, U.S. EPA, WH-595,401 M
Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20460.
OMPC hopes the information you
read in Municipal Technology Network
News will help you provide modem,
efficient, appropriate wastewater treat-
ment to your community so that our
nation's waters, wetlands, and other
natural environments will remain
protected and clean.
-------
OMPC Launches Network
(continued from p. 1)
scope than its predecessor, the In-
novative/Alternative (I/A) Network, the
WTTN will conduct a wider variety of
activities and will cover all types of
municipal wastewater treatment tech-
nologies—innovative, alternative, or
otherwise. In addition to distributing
technical information, the WTTN also
will manage, support, and enhance ex-
isting technology transfer networks, as
well as provide targeted direct technical
assistance in areas of national signif i-
EPA provides some
targeted direct
technical assistance
cance. Working closely with state and
Regional technology transfer coor-
dinators, OMPC will be able to address
specific needs for the critical and timely
exchange of technical information.
Key Source of Technical Materials
Design manuals, research reports,
and technology brochures have been
essential to the development of
municipal technology systems as they
exist today. Through the WTTN, EPA
will continue to produce and distribute
many publications, as well as support
other organizations, both financially
and technically, in developing and dis-
seminating sound technical materials.
Technical works that have been
recently completed, are underway, or
are planned include those on EPA
regulations affecting POTWs, air toxics
at POTWs, in-vessel composting of
sewage sludge, proposed technical
sludge regulations, rainfall-induced in-
filtration, state POTW design standards,
sulfide corrosion in sewerage systems,
and powdered activated carbon treat-
ment (PACT). Other articles in this
newsletter reference additional publica-
tions. The WTTN will also identify and
list studies and reports prepared by the
Regions and states.
Enhanced Support of Technology
Transfer Networks
Under the umbrella of the WTTN,
EPA will continue to work with other
existing networks to sponsor joint
conferences, workshops, and research
and share technical speakers and publi-
cations. EPA also plans to employ peer
matching; monitor promising new tech-
nologies; identify emerging problems;
and sponsor forums, seminars, and
training activities.
To support this expanded network-
ing role, EPA is developing a national
inventory of resources to provide in-
sights on specific technical problems.
The Agency will also work with states
to strengthen their technology transfer
programs by sharing details about suc-
cessful approaches used by others.
OMPC is currently gathering names,
specialties, and training skills of ex-
perts; information on training courses;
and literature from the Regions,
states, and other sectors.
Targeted Direct Technical Assistance
Today, the states and consultants
are the primary providers of day-to-day
technical information to municipalities.
Under the Targeted Direct Technical As-
sistance Program, the Regions and
states can ask Headquarters to con-
sider specific projects for additional tech-
nical assistance in the form of
telephone consultations, written informa-
tion, and referrals to qualified experts.
When a state or Region refers a
problem of national significance or
one with major environmental dimen-
sions or a priority issue, OMPC or the
Office of Research and Development
(ORD) may provide more extensive
assistance, such as site visits or
detailed studies. The production and
sharing of information that takes place
under this program will keep EPA, the
Regions, and states abreast of impor-
tant problems confronting POTWs at
the local level.
The most recent example of tar-
geted assistance was the request to
review Lancaster, Pennsylvania's, Taul-
man-Weiss in-vessel sewage sludge
composting odor problem. In re-
sponse, Headquarters furnished an
evaluation report that included recom-
mendations for future action.
To provide input to the inventory of
resources (e.g., training courses, suc-
cessful technology transfer programs,
studies, technical experts) or to re-
quest targeted direct technical assis-
tance, Regions and the states can
contact Irene Suzukida Horner, U.S.
EPA, WH-595,401 M St., S.W.,
Washington, DC 20460, (202) 382-7368.
The Wastewater
Treatment
Information
Exchange
(WTIE)
Free Computer
Bulletin Board Posts
Wastewater News
Are you searching for the
lastest news on waste-
water treatment technol-
ogy, new publications available,
key issues in the field of small
community systems, and a
calendar of events, aH for free'?
If so, the Wastewater Treatment
Information Exchange (WTIE) is
for you.
Sponsored by the National
Small Flows Clearinghouse, this
computer bulletin board posts in-
formation 24 hours a day on news
items, recent publications, issues
that affect smaB community waste-
water systems, and upcoming
events. WTIE also offers
electronic exchange of research
papers, electronic mail, and user
conferences.
Conference topics currently
on the Exchange include Waste-
water Operator Problems and
Solutions (WOPAS); Financing
for Small Community Infrastruc-
tures; Wastewater and Water
Equipment Exchange; and Con-
structed Wetlands as a Waste-
water Alternative.
For further information,
call the Clearinghouse at
(800) 624-8301.
-------
Upcoming Events and New Resources
Seminars
EPA Joint Weste Water/Drinking WMer
National Forum. Washington. D.C.. March
27-30,1990. This meeting is for Regional
SmaB Community Outreach and Education
(SCORE) Coordinators and Drinking Water
Mobilization Coordinators. Contact Marteen
Regeteki at (202) 382-7274.
EPA National Operator Iralnlng Con-
ference. Orlando, Fbfida, June 10-14,1990.
Sponsored by the Center for Training. Re-
search andEducation for Envkonmental Oc-
cupations(TREEQ. Spouses woloome. For
turther infarmafion, contact Mary Satie at (202)
382-5810.
Rural Water 2000 Conference.
Washington, D.C., September 18-21,1990.
Sponsored by the Rural Community Assis-
tance Program (RCAP). The conference wi
focus on improving community water and
wastewaterfadEties and wiR provide infor-
mation on the 109(b) State Training Centers
and Operator Training Program. Contact
Edwin Cobb at (703) 771-8636.
EPA Region V11990 Seminars
For more information, contact And Jones
at (214) 655-7130.
fshfftoGkFHMrfor
•tewatsr. Liflte
Forum on Artificial Mi
Treating Municipal W,
Rock, Arkansas, April 3-4; Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, April 17-18; Abuquerque, New
Mexico, Apr! 24-25.
Forum on Control of Pathogens In
Municipal Wastewater Sludge. Baton
Rouge. Louisiana, March 27-28; Santa Fe.
New Mexico, May 15-16; Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma, May 8-9; UtJe Rock, Arkansas,
May 1-2.
Publications
The following new publications are
available from U.S. EPA, OMPC:
EPA's Policy Promoting the Beneficial
Use of Sewage Stodge and the New
Propoeed Technical Sludge Regulations.
June 1989. Contact John Water at (202)
382-7283.
OverYlew of Coioctod EPA Regulations
and Guidance Affecting POTW Manage-
ment EPA/430/09-89/008. September
1989. Contact Irene Suzukkta Homer at
(202)382-7368.
Report on the Use of Wetlands for
Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Dis-
posal EPA/430/09-88/005. October 1987.
Contact Bob Bastian at (202) 382-7378.
Start-Up Operations of Chemical
Process Technologies In the Municipal
Sector: The Carver/Greenfield Process
for Sludge Drying. EPA/430/09-89/007.
August 1989. Contact John Water at (202)
382-7283.
The following new publications are
available through U.S, EPA, CERI,
ORD Publications, Room G72,
26 Martin Luther King Drtve, Cincin-
nati, OH 45268, (513) 569-7562:
Environmental Regulations and Technol-
ogy; Contnl of PtthogoM In Municipal
Wistewater Sludge. EPMG25nO-8y
------- |