notiagua 27, 2

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

1/31

Segunda Edicin Ao 2010-2011

Di rec t i va 2010-11

Jaime Lpez

Presidente

I r m a L p ez

Presidente-Electo

W a r n e r Pa l e r m o

Pasado Presidente

Rober to Ma ldonado

Delegado WEF

Alber t Or t i z

Director AWWA

Carlos Ort iz

Secretario

Elp id io Gonzlez

Tesorero

Leonardo Montes

Mar a Or t i z

Jossean Padi l la

Lar issa Rivera

Shel ly Ros

Pedro Modes to

Vocales

PO Box 13702San Juan, PR 00908-3702

www.prwea.org

Carlos OrtizEditor

Notiagua

Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association (PRW&EA)

Saludos a todos y bienvenidos a esta segunda edicin del Notiagua.Esperamos que todos se encuentren recuperados de un periodo de

mucha actividad (Navidades) que culmina la prxima semana con lafinalizacin de las octavitas. Este Notiagua es el primero de 2011. Asque los invitamos a leer, a disfrutar y a compartir con sus compaerosde trabajo y otros profesionales la informacin que incluimos en estaedicin.

AGUA, preciado liquido, recurso que nos regala la madre naturaleza. Aprendamos a apreciarlo, creandoconciencia a las generaciones futuras asegurando la sustentabilidad del mismo.

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

2/31

CLEAN WATER IS CRITICAL FOR SUSTAINING LIFE, YET POLLUTED WATER AND INADEQUATE SANITATION KILLS

AT LEAST TWO CHILDREN EVERY MINUTE WORLDWIDE. AND EVEN IN THE UNITED STATES, WHERE

Saludos Cordiales

Durante el ao 2010 nos hemos enfrentado a grandes retos y gracias al esfuerzo, el entusiasmo y la dedica-cin de nuestros voluntarios hemos logrado mucho para alcanzar las metas propuestas para este ao, quesobre todo se basan en llevar a la PRW&EA al prximo nivel.

Durante el mes de Octubre tuve la oportunidad junto a otros miembros de la Junta de Directores de partici-par de WEFTEC 2010 que se celebr en la ciudad de New Orleans en el estado de Louisana. El evento fueuno de altura y tambin haba que estar en forma ya que el centro de convenciones de New Orleans es su-mamente amplio pero acomoda la exhibicin tcnica ms grande de este tipo en Estados Unidos. La agendafue una cargada ya que participe junto a nuestra Presidenta-Electa la Lcda. Irma Lpez de las reuniones delos comits del Student & Young Professionals, Membership y del Public Communication & Outreachentre otras que estaban seleccionados como importantes por su reciprocidad con los comits de nuestra sec-cin y en la cual hay compromisos en el plan de trabajo de este servidor. La participacin en estas reunionesfue una activa en la cual solicit ser miembro para as poder agilizar los objetivos de nuestra seccin en parti-cular. Adems solicitamos la ayuda del comit de Public Communication & Outreach para la preparacinde una campaa de conservacin de agua que se realizara durante marzo del 2011 como parte de los even-tos de la semana del agua. Tambin participe de las recepciones del Presidente Paul Freedman y de la Pre-

sidenta entrante Jeanette Brown adems de la ceremonia de premiacin y cierre la cual fue una muy concu-rrida donde se resaltaron las cualidades de la Presidenta de WEF.

La nueva sorpresa para m durante este evento lo fue la cantidad de seminarios y talleres dedicados a aguasde escorrentas (Storm Water) que se presentaron durante el evento y el inters de WEF en ser un recursode este tema ya que es una de las fuentes de contaminacin que contribuyen al deterioro de los cuerpos deagua.

En esta mitad del ao la PRW&EA en su compromiso con la membresa y la comunidad del agua ofreciunos talleres y presentaciones tcnicas como el taller Programa de Energy Star para Industrias y Comer-cios, Taller NPDES 2008 Multisector General Permit, Mantenimiento de Motores Elctricos y UV disin-fection los cuales tuvieron una buena participacin tanto del sector industrial como de la AAA y otros.

El comit de membresas a travs de su presidenta la Sra. Larissa Rivera organizo dos actividades, una enel rea metro y otra en el rea oeste. Estas actividades tenan como objetivo apreciar a los miembros de laPRW&EA y promover el reclutamiento y renovacin de membresa con un descuento en la cuota. La activi-dad del rea metro se celebr el 14 de Octubre de 2010 en el Restaurante Pepins en Isla Verde y la activi-dad en el rea oeste se celebr el 9 de diciembre del 2010 en el restaurante Pampas en Mayaguez, ambasactividades fueron un xito. Quisiera resaltar la acogida que se le dio a las ofertas de membresas durante elperiodo de septiembre 15 a diciembre 31 del 2010 en las cuales de AWWA 17 fueron socios nuevos y reno-varon 9 y en WEF 39 son socios nuevos y renovaron 16.

Mensaje del PresidenteJaime Lpez

PGINA 2 NOTI AGUA - PRW& EA SEGU NDA EDICI N

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

3/31

Ya se han cumplido siete meses de ocupar el puesto como presidente y durante este tiempo me doy cuentade lo mucho que se puede hacer y que el tiempo es corto. Le quisiera agradecer a los presidentes de comi-ts y a los respectivos miembros por su esfuerzo en que estas actividades tuvieran el xito obtenido.

Les exhorto a que sean voluntarios en los diferentes comits de trabajo para as poder exceder las expectati-vas propuestas en este ao 2011. Cuento con todos ustedes en la participacin de las actividades que sevan a ofrecer durante el este ao y sobre todo les pido su cooperacin en llevar el mensaje de la misin de laasociacin.

No me quisiera despedir sin antes desearles unos das festivos de felicidad y prosperidad junto a amigos yfamiliares para este nuevo ao 2011 en el cual esperamos seguir trabajando para ustedes.

Sinceramente

Jaime LpezPresidentePRW&EA 2010-2011


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

4/31


Abstracts must be received no later than close of business on January 31, 2010. Authors/presenters will be required to provide a written manuscript for distribution at the Conference.

The selected papers will have a maximum of 45 minutes to complete his/her presentations.Submit one (1) copy of the abstract (350 words or less, one page, single spaced) no later thanthe above mentioned deadline in Microsoft Word format to:

Mrs. Irma Lopez, PresidentDrinking Water Committee, PRW&EAVia email: [email protected] fax: (787) 998-9997Via postal mail: P.O. Box 13702 San Juan, P.R. 00908-3702

CALL FOR PAPERSPRW&EA ANNUAL CONFERENCE17th DRINKING WATER SEMINAR

Location: Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan, Puerto RicoDates: May 17 & 18, 2011

Registration information to be mailed to PRW&EA members on February 2011ABSTRACT SUBMITTAL DEADLINE: January 31, 2011

________________________________________________________________________

The Drinking Water Committee of the PR Water & Environment Association (PRW&EA) ispleased to announce the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDOH) 17th Drinking WaterSeminar to be held at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan.

Conference participants will exchange information on current state-of-the-art municipal and pri-vate water supply and industry practices. Papers should address specific topics involved withany/all facets of Water Treatment, Operation, Maintenance & Distribution. Authors withbackground in the private, municipal, industrial, regulatory and regional sectors are espe-cially encouraged to submit papers. Guidance sub-topics are as follows:

Drinking Water Quality and PublicHealth

Water Treatment Water Conservation & Efficiency Drinking Water Research & Devel-

opment Water Distribution Systems Water Resources / Reuse Regulatory trends

Residuals Security Small Systems New Technologies New Developments In Water Treatment And Con-

veyance Green Infrastructure and Technologies Workforce Energy Efficiency

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

5/31

CALL FOR PAPERSPRW&EA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

11th WASTEWATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SEMINARLocation: Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Date: May 19 & 20, 2011Registration information to be mailed to PRW&EA members on February 2011

ABSTRACT SUBMITTAL DEADLINE: January 31, 2011________________________________________________________________________

The Wastewater and Environmental Committees of the PR Water & Environment Association(PRW&EA) is pleased to announce the 11th Wastewater and Environment seminar to be held atthe Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, P.R.

Conference participants will exchange information on current state-of-the-art industrial and mu-nicipal sewage practices. Papers should be specific topics involved with any/all facets of waste-water. Papers that focus on using industrial wastewater management systems are especiallyencouraged. Papers should focus, but are not limited on topics as:


Surface Water Quality & Ecology Wastewater Treatment Operation & Maintenance Water Reclamation & Reuse Industrial Wastewater Residuals & Biosolids Collection Systems Storm water/Wet weather Energy Efficiency Workforce

Odor, Sulfide And /Or Corrosion Control Regulatory Related Issues Chemicals Uses And Applications Green Infrastructure & Technologies Wetlands Climate Change Watershed Management New Technologies Onsite Treatment Systems

Abstracts must be received no later than close of business on January 31, 2011. Authors/presenters will be required to provide a written manuscript for distribution at the Conference.

The selected papers will have a maximum of 45 minutes to complete his/her presentations.Submit one (1) copy of the abstract (350 words or less, one page, single spaced) no later thanthe above mentioned deadline in Microsoft Word format to:

Roberto Maldonado, P.E.President Wastewater Committee, PRWEAVia email: [email protected] Fax: (787) 758-1266Via postal mail; P.O. Box 13702 San Juan, P.R. 00908-3702

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

6/31

OPERCOMP 2011OPERCOMP 2011 55TASTAS COMPETENCIAS DE OPERADORES TODOS TIENENCOMPETENCIAS DE OPERADORES TODOS TIENENLA OPORTUNIDAD DE COMPETIR ESTE AOLA OPORTUNIDAD DE COMPETIR ESTE AO..

Por Carlos [email protected]

ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE? Se estn comenzado los preparativos para que se lleven a cabolas competencias de operadores de plantas de tratamiento de la PRW&EA. OPERCOMP11OPERCOMP11 preli-minarmente se escogi el da domingo10 de abril de 2011. A partir de las 7:30 a.m. hasta las 5:00p.m. El lugar no ha sido seleccionado pero ser en el hogar de los pasados campeones la ReginNorte.

La PRW&EA y su grupo de voluntarios se encuentran trabajando para mejorar y ampliar la activi-dad. Los eventos y competencias se describen brevemente a continuacin.

Competencia por EquiposLa Competencia por Equipos es la actividad tradicional y que est dirigida y limitada a equipos com-puestos por Operadores Bonafide. Se mantienen los eventos de laboratorio, procesos de trata-miento, reglamentacin, seguridad, equipos y mantenimientos. Se premiaran los primeros tres (3)lugares de cada evento y los primeros tres (3) lugares globales.

Competencia AbiertaLas reglas de la Competencia por Equipo tienen como propsito salvaguardar una competencia

equilibrada entre operadores. Lamentablemente tiene como efecto secundario que muchos otrosprofesionales del campo no puedan entrar a competir en esta categora. Desde las primeras com-petencias en 1998 han reclamado muchos por una oportunidad para competir o participar de formaactiva. OPERCOMP11OPERCOMP11 ahora provee esta oportunidad.

La Competencia abierta tiene los eventos de (1) laboratorio, (2) procesos de tratamiento, (3) regla-mentacin, (4) seguridad, y (5) equipos & mantenimiento. Esta es una competencia completamenteseparada e independiente de la Competencia por Equipos. Se compite de forma individual, aunqueusted representa a quin usted quiera.

La fecha lmite para todas las inscripciones es el 06 de abril de 2010 a las 5:00 p.m.

Ahora, A calzn quitao vamos a ver quienes son los que tienen babilla, o todos estos aossolo hablaban porque saban que no podan competir. Esto es sencillo, y como en la lucha libre

PAGINA 6 NOTI AGUA - PRW& EA SEGU NDA EDICI N

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

7/31


sin lmite de tiempo todos a la vez y cercado con alambre de pas. Solo tienes que inscribirte atiempo y ya. Ese es el nico requisito. Vamos a ver de que es la madera, si es de roble o blanditade corcho. Yo tengo claro todos los que se han acercado y me han hablado. Espero verlos compi-tiendo, si no, por lo menos saben que los voy a saludar por el micrfono.

Bueno solo nos queda decir que los esperamos el da 10 de abril de 2011 en OPERCOMP11OPERCOMP11, yasea que vas a competir o simplemente a ver las competencias. Es una actividad donde se renetoda la familia.

Para ms informacin, o si tienes preguntas puedes comunicarte con cualquiera de los voluntarios o

los miembros de la Directiva de la PRW&EA. Puedes tambin comunicarte conmigo al (787) 553-1380 o por correo electrnico a [email protected].

IMPORTANTE TODAVIA TENEMOS OPORTUNIDADES DE AUSPICIO. TIENESUNA CANTIDAD CONSIDERABLE DE EXPOSICIN CON LOS PROFESIONALES

Visi te Nues t r a Red iseada Pg ina de I n t e rne t

w w w . p r w e a . o r gPara que te mantengas al corriente de las actividades presentes y futuras,

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

8/31

Realineamiento Organizacional de AWWA

El pasado 18 de octubre el David La France envi una carta a todos los miembros de la Junta de Directo-res para informar los cambios organizacionales que se hicieron en AWWA. A continuacin se describenlos cambios realizados y el motivo para hacer la realineacin:

Para atender de manera ms efectiva cuatro (4) reas incluidas en el Plan Estratgico aprobadopor la Junta de Directores en enero 2010.

Objetivos de la Reorganizacin

Elevar la importancia de la membresa en trminos de la toma de decisiones de la Asociacin

Alinear todos los departamentos en la direccin del Plan Estratgico

Identificar funciones claves del personal ejecutivo y de mucha experiencia

Refinar los ttulos de las posiciones

Identificar necesidades futuras de staff

Diseo de la Reorganizacin

Grupo Ejecutivo

Executive Director David La France

Deputy Executive Directors Paula Macllwaine & Tom Curtis

CFO Lynn Laskey

Chief Information Officer Bob Huff

Chief Membership Officer Susan Franceschi

MENSAJE DEL DIRECTOR AWWAAlbert Ortiz


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

9/31


El personal ejecutivo es responsable por la direccin del personal bajo su cargo y establecer prioridadesy estrategias para el logro del Plan Estratgico de la Asociacin.

Senior Staff

Director of Engineering & Tech. Services Roy Martnez

Director of Conferences & Events April DeBaker

Director of Publishing John Kayser, interim

Director of Sales & Research Jane Johnson

Director of Federal Relations Alan Roberson

Director of Communications Greg Kail

Director of Administration Tania Haskins

Director of Application Services Kevin Turntine

El personal Senior es responsable por dirigir las operaciones de la Asociacin en apoyo al Plan Estrat-gico.

Espero que la informacin aqu contenida sea til para los miembros de la PRW&EA.

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

10/31


Chromium 6 report unleashes legislative,reg responsesEditor's note: See link below to comment on this article.

A report from the Environmental Working Group on hexavalent chromium intap water has spurred responses from US senators, the US EnvironmentalProtection Agency, AWWA and a number of utilities and prompted USEPAAdministrator Lisa Jackson to anticipate a specific regulation for hexavalentchromium.The results of EWG's tests for hexavalent chromium (chromium 6) in 35cities show tap water levels higher than a proposed California public healthgoal in 25 of the cities and the presence of chromium 6 in all but four of thetested cities' tap waters. The report, Chromium-6 in US Tap Water, was re-leased Dec. 20.Public concern raised by the report led US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jacksonto meet with a group of 10 senators Dec. 21 and to commit to several actions, including assessing oc-currence and offering technical assistance to utilties. In a press release about the meeting, one of Jack-son's points was that "it is likely that EPA will tighten drinking water standards to address the healthrisks posed by chromium 6."Even before the meeting, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) pledged to intro-duce legislation setting a deadline for the development of a drinking water standard for chromium 6, ac-cording to news reports."Drinking water quality and public health are the highest priority for drinking water utilities. It's important,however, to establish health standards on the basis of science and not public outcry," said Tom Curtis,AWWA deputy executive director for government affairs."EWG targeted a mix of large cities and some smaller ones where testing by local utilities had previ-ously detected potentially significant amounts of 'total chromium,'" according to the report. Using its own

database of water quality data from utilities, EWG extrapolates that 74 million Americans in 42 statesmay be drinking water with hexavalent chromium.Made famous in the movie Erin Brockovich, chromium 6 is "likely to be carcinogenic to humans," ac-cording to a draft toxicological report from the US Environmental Protection Agency's Integrated RiskInformation System, which assesses health effects data used to set drinking water standards. The toxi-cological report is undergoing expert review that is to be completed in late 2011; the comment periodcloses Dec. 29. In August 2009, California proposed a public health goal of 0.06 micrograms/liter.Currently, USEPA has a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 100 micrograms/liter for total chromiumand reports that no utilities are out of compliance with this MCL.Jackson promised the senators a series of actions related to chromium 6. The agency will Work with local and state officials to determine how widespread the occurrence of hexavalent is. Issue guidance to water utilities on monitoring and sampling for chromium 6. Offer technical assistance to the cities cited in the EWG report with high levels of chromium 6.Review the chromium standard quickly once the draft toxicological report is finalized to determine if newstandards need to be set.Earlier that day USEPA issued a statement, saying in part, "The agency regularly re-evaluates drinkingwater standards and, based on new science on chromium-6, had already begun a rigorous and compre-hensive review of its health effects. In September, we released a draft of that scientific review for publiccomment. When this human health assessment is finalized in 2011, USEPA will carefully review theconclusions and consider all relevant information, including the Environmental Working Groups study,to determine if a new standard needs to be set.

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

11/31


Chromium 6 report unleashes legislative,reg responses

In AWWA's public statement, Executive Director David LaFrance supported the scientific rigor used toconsider health effects and set drinking water standards. "The key question to answer is whether thesubstance presents health concerns at the level it is detected. A thorough evaluation of [health, expo-sure and occurrence] data increases the likelihood that new regulations will offer meaningful risk reduc-tion."EWG is pushing USEPA and the state of California to regulate chromium 6 sooner than the currentprocess would. The organization wrote about its concerns for vulnerable populations, especially fetuses,infants, children and people with less acidic stomachs.Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council posted a statement supporting "a uniform, national stan-dard for hexavalent chromium in drinking water, based on sound science. Research is underway toprovide EPA with critical data that will allow for a more informed risk assessment of hexavalent chro-mium. This data will be complete by mid-2011. Given the potential impact on drinking water supplies,EPA should incorporate this data in its assessment.Chromium is a naturally occurring element with three main forms found in the environment: chromium 0,chromium 3 and chromium 6 (or hexavalent chromium). Chromium 3 is a nutrient required to metabolizesugars and lipids.Chromium is widely used in manufacturing processes and can be found in many consumer productssuch as wood treated with copper dichromate, leather tanned with chromic sulfate and stainless steelcookware. Individuals may be exposed to chromium through inhalation, ingestion and skin contact.A Los Angeles Timesarticle in mid-December reported that a California Cancer Registry survey ofHinkley residents did not find a disproportionately high number of cancers in the town that made ErinBrokovich famous. The survey did not type the cancers or try to explain what caused them, nor did itprovide any basis for scaling back on groundwater cleanup in the area.Additional AWWA Resources "Hex chrome review underway," AWWA Streamlines, Oct. 19, 2010 "Hot Topics," AWWA Streamlines, Nov. 30, 2010 Breaking News: California seeks comment on chromium VI PHG, Aug. 21, 2009"Pilot-Scale Studies of Hexavalent Chromium Removal From Drinking Water," Journal AWWA, Feb.2006Mary A. Parmelee, EditorPosted: 12/28/2010

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

12/31

Mensaje del Delegado de WEFIng. Roberto Maldonado Negrn

Saludos a todos nuestros asociados en especial a los de la Water Environment Federation, esto incluyen-do a los nuevos Socios. En las actividades de Reclutamiento de San Juan y Mayagez hubo muchosnuevos miembros. La Universidad Politcnica fue la que ms miembros recluto en los eventos. Ambasactividades estuvieron muy buenas en cuanto a reclutamiento y como actividad social. Hubo la oportuni-dad de dialogar con los miembros de la Directiva y los otros asociados.

Como le informara en el Notiagua anterior nuestro Director Ejecutivo Bill Bertera renuncio. WEF anuncioen el website los requisitos y conocimientos que aquellos que les interesara la misma. WEF recibi mu-

chas solicitudes de personas muy capacitadas. Finalmente se escogi a Jeff Eger como el Nuevo Direc-tor Ejecutivo de WEF. El mismo ya est en funciones desde diciembre 8 de este ao. El Sr. Eger trabajoen Kentucky en el Sanitation District 1 en Fort Wright en donde fue Director Ejecutivo desde 1994. Seentiende que con su gran creatividad, liderato y experiencia Eger podr llevar a WEF a cumplir con susnuevas metas.

Este ao nuestros Comits han llevado a cabo varias actividades tcnicas muy buenas como la del tallerEnergy Star y Storm Water ofrecidos por EPA, Optimizacin de plantas, luz ultravioleta y mantenimien-to de motores entre otros. Si todava no has participado de alguna de las actividades tcnicas, anmatepara que asistas a las prximas.

Del 2 al 6 de Octubre de 2010 asistimos a convencin anual conocida como WEFTEC 2010. La misma se

llevo a cabo en la ciudad de New Orleans. Este ao a pesar de la situacin econmica que atraviesa elpas, se estableci record de asistencia y exhibidores con 17,575 personas y 984 exhibidores en un es-pacio de 295,295 pies cuadrados.

Durante este evento, se llevo a cabo la reunin de la Casa de los Delegados (House of Delegates). Aprimera hora se dio una breve introduccin para los Delegados entrantes. El director de WERF (WaterEnvironment Research Foundation ) agradeci las aportaciones de las diferentes secciones a la funda-cin lo cual la ayuda a poder realizar los proyectos de investigacin. En la maana el presidente del Co-mit de Liderazgo explico lo que estn trabajando recientemente. Gran parte de su presentacin fue so-bre los esfuerzos de mejorar las relaciones entre WEF y las Secciones. Exhorto a que los miembros delas secciones se hagan miembros de los comits que tiene WEF.

Hubo unos grupos de trabajos en los cuales se dividieron los Delegados. Yo participe en el Grupo Inter-nacional. Se informo que WEF se est orientando ms hacia servir a Norte Amrica que servir a otrospases. Se hablo de cmo dar mejor servicio a las secciones internacionales como hacer traduccionesde manuales, libros, artculos tcnicos y hasta conferencias en WEFTEC. Se sugiere que para los pa-ses en desarrollo se tenga en WEFTEC informacin y conferencias bsicas sobre tratamiento.Se eligi a Yves Pollart, Dianne Sumego y Jim Poff como delegados at Large, a Scott Trotter, ScottCummings, Kartik Chandran y John Hart como miembros del WEF Board of Trustees. Se eligieron losmiembros de los comits de: Presupuesto, Steering, WEFMAX y Nominaciones. Adems el Sr. CordellSamuels, que fue nuestro representante de WEF en Puerto Rico, fue electo como vicepresidente elec-to.


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

13/31

Tambin se eligi a Sean Osborne como Speaker of the House elect.Este ao la presidente es Jeannette Brown. Esta va a enfatizar en los Operadores: a) adiestramiento, b)Certificacin, c) materiales educativos adems en que los Comits estn enfocados en la visin y misin.WEF est poniendo esfuerzos en la certificacin de operadores pues sus documentos datan de 1993.Se cre un grupo de trabajo que est coordinando con ABC para revisar que los exmenes estn bien ytengan una sola nica contestacin. Muchos de los estados tienen un programa bien establecido con

hasta 5 categoras, algunos solo regulan agua potable. La mayora requieren educacin continua aun-que en algunos estados no se requiere. WEF tiene online training. La seccin de PR se ofreci a traducircualquier material que se le provea de adiestramiento.

Asistimos tambin a la reunin del comit de Operation Challenge (competencia de operadores). WEFest en el proceso de cambiar su base de datos por lo que el proceso de registro de nuevas membresasy renovaciones va a estar retrasado desde finales de octubre y mediados de diciembre de 2010. Por lotanto si renov o se hizo miembro en estas fechas en estos das debe estar recibiendo noticias de WEF.De no ser as comunquese con nosotros.

La prxima Convencin de WEF (84) conocida como WEFTEC ser en Los ngeles California del 15 al19 de octubre del 2011. Separa la fecha desde ahora. Les recuerdo que ya estamos recibiendo los abs-

tractos de los seminarios de alcantarillado para las Conferencias de mayo 2011. Este ao ser en elCentro de Convenciones de San Juan del 16 al 20 de mayo. Anota estas fechas tambin.Para comunicarse conmigo pueden escribir al siguiente correo electrnico: [email protected]


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

14/31

El comit organizador del Stockholm Junior Water Prize, (SJWP) P.R. ya est activamente trabajandopara la edicin 2011. Para los que no conocen sobre SJWP, esta es una competencia internacional degran prestigio donde estudiantes de escuela superior compiten en proyectos de investigacin en elcampo del agua.Este es el tercer ao en que la PRW&EA organiza esta competencia a nivel local. Para escoger el es-

tudiante que representar a Puerto Rico y a la PRW&EA, se organiza una competencia llamada Disco-vering H2O. Los interesados en participar deben enviar un abstracto de su proyecto, para seleccionarlos estudiantes que participarn en la competencia final. En esta, los estudiantes realizarn una presen-

tacin ante un panel de jueces para escoger al estudiante ganador que viajar a la competencia nacio-nal en Chicago, Illinois el prximo verano a representar a Puerto Rico. Para ms detalles sobre las re-glas de la competencia, pueden ir a nuestra pgina www.prwea.org.Adems de la competencia Discovering H2O, los estudiantes tambin participan en visitas tcnicas aestaciones de Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, dnde personal de la Autoridad comparte co-nocimientos sobre los procesos de filtracin, tratamiento y conservacin del agua.En la edicin del ao pasado, la ganadora fue Laura Roldn del Colegio Mara Auxiliadora y la EscuelaJos Aponte de la Torre, ambas en el pueblo de Carolina. Laura nos represent en la competencia na-cional celebrada St. Louis, MO. Nos comunicamos recientemente con ella, y nos indic lo siguiente:

La Discovering H20 ha sido una experiencia increble. Cuando mi ta ley el boleto de la com-petencia en el peridico hace dos aos, no me imaginaba que fuera yo la que viajara a St.Louis este ao presentando mi proyecto. Este fue mi segundo ao participando y en verdad que

todo vali la pena. Conoc a Teresa, a Exel y todava estoy en contacto con algunos de los queparticiparon. Cuando gan en la competencia regional, me sent tan orgullosa y privilegiada, nolo poda creer. En Estados Unidos conoc un montn de personas (y todos nos hablamos toda-va por Facebook) desde profesionales hasta estudiantes como yo interesado en el campo delas ciencias. Fuimos al City Museum que fue INCREIBLE! Nunca he ido a un museo tan creativoy divertido como ese. Tambin fuimos a arco de St. Louis donde pude ver todo la cuidad, y sor-prendentemente llamar a mi mama porque tena seal desde 630 pies de altura. Disfrute todaslas noches con mis compaeros jugando y haciendo maldades quedndonos hasta la 1am ju-gando en el balcn y jugando rescate en los pasillos del hotel. En la premiacin todos estba-mos ansiosos y cada uno recibi su medalla regional, en las entrevistas me fue muy bien. Aun-que no gane nada all, la experiencia me sobra, he decido estudiar ingeniera ambiental y meencanta el campo del agua.

Discovering H2O es organizada por la PRW&EA y la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados. Lacompetencia local y el viaje del estudiante a la competencia nacional es posible gracias al auspicio delas siguientes empresas: Prime Controls, Indulac, Engineered Parts & Services, Dynamic Operations,Cortes Industrial, JP Industrial, Performance Chemicals, Ineco, Professional Sealing Devices, Aqua PakSystems, Vaquera Tres Monjitas y CH Caribe. Si desean involucrarse con la organizacin de la competencia, auspiciar o conocer ms sobre la misma,los invito a que visiten la pgina de la PRW&EA, www.prwea.org o nos pueden escribir [email protected] con sus preguntas o sugerencias. Contamos con el apoyo de ustedes para fomentarel desarrollo de nuestros futuros profesionales en el campo del agua.

Science Fair

HH22OOHH

22OO


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

15/31

40 Years of Achievements, 1970-2010

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans one in every ten Americans at the time stood up to demand a cleanerand healthier environment. This first Earth Day was one of the largest grassroots demonstrations in the nations his-tory and it worked. By the end of the year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was created and tasked withboth cleaning up the damage already done to the environment, and establishing guidelines to help Americans makea cleanerand saferenvironment a reality. Soon after, Congress passed the Clean Air Act, setting national airquality, auto emission and anti-pollution standards. Two short years later the Clean Water Act became law, followedby decades of new innovations that helped to more than double the size of our economy while actually cutting pollu-tion and making the country healthier.The vast environmental improvements made in the last 40 years have benefitted every single American. As we look

forward to the next 40 years, it is with renewed commitment to promote healthier families, cleaner communities, anda stronger America.The Places We Call HomeCleaning Up Our CommunitiesEnvironmental protection is about protecting people in the places where they live, play, work, and learn. A clean,safe environment is vital to the health and economic prosperity of every community. Over the years, EPA hasworked to clean up polluted and contaminated sites. Were beautifying communities, protecting the health of localresidents, and in many cases, restoring abandoned areas to be used for parks, open space, and new businesses.EPA is getting toxic pollution out of your communities, and putting jobs and opportunities back in.

Were recycling more: American families and businesses went from recycling about 10 percent of trash in 1980 tomore than 33 percent in 2008. We \recycle 83 million tons of trash annually thats like cutting green house gasemissions from more than 33 million automobiles.And were cleaning up communities: EPA has cleaned 67 percent of contaminated Superfund sites nationwide, andhas helped create jobs for more than 3,300 Americans with average starting hourly wage at $14.26 to help cleanand transform contaminated Brownfield sites into bustling neighborhoods and business centers.

The Air We BreatheImproving Air QualityThe average American breathes more than 11,000 liters of air enough to fill a tanker truck every day! Thats whyair pollution puts us at risk for serious health problems like heart disease, asthma, cancer and other illnesses. In the40 years since the Clean Air Act went into effect, weve reduced 60% of the dangerous air pollutants that causesmog, acid rain, lead poisoning and more. clean air innovations like smokestack scrubbers and catalytic convertersin automobiles have helped. Today, new cars are 98 percent cleaner than in 1970 in terms of smog-forming pollut-ants. This change has made Americans healthier.


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

16/31

During the first 20 years of the Clean Air Act, health benefits increased steadily from 1970 to 1990. In the year 1990,clean air programs prevented

205,000 premature deaths672,000 cases of chronic bronchitis21,000 cases of heart disease843,000 asthma attacks189,000 cardiovascular hospitalizations10.4 million lost I.Q. points in children from lead reductions18 million child respiratory illnesses

The progress on cleaner air continued after 1990. Preliminary EPA analysis shows that in 2010, Clean Air Act fine

particle (soot) and ozone (smog) programs implemented since the 1990 Amendments will have prevented more than160,000 premature deaths.Our Water ResourcesProtecting America's WaterAmericans use 100 gallons of water in their homes each day making clean water critical to our daily lives. Water isalso important to the environment, culture, economy and history of many communities across the country.Forty years ago the Cuyahoga River in Ohio was so filled with oily waste and industrial pollution that it actually caughtfire! The EPA was formed to make sure that level of pollution never returns. Today, were working to protect the waterresources that keep our families healthy, our communities clean, and our country strong. EPA is on the job butevery American has a role to play in conserving the water we use and keeping water supplies safe for drinking, fish-ing, and swimming.

Cuyahoga River: 1968 to TodayMore pollution is being treated: Sixty-percent more Americans were served by publicly-owned wastewater treatmentfacilities from 1968 to 2008.Waterways are clearer: In a study of lakes from the 1970s to 2007, water quality improved. Half the lakes saw less

nutrient concentrations (forming green sludge) and a quarter saw improved trophic status.Today, more than 2,000 water bodies identified as impaired in 2002 now meet water quality standards.Public drinking water is cleaner: The number of Americans receiving water that met health standards went from 79percent, in 1993, to 92 percent, in 2008.Americans are saving money: WaterSense-labeled products help consumers save 9.3 billion gallons of water and 1billion kWh annually, and helped consumers save more than $55 million in water and sewer bills in 2008.Source: www.epa.gov


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

17/31

A NEW PATH TO CLEAN WATER?

EPA thinks U.S. waters are not improving.Recent surveys show nutrient pollution,excess sedimentation, and degradation ofshoreline vegetation affect more than 50 % ofour lakes and streams. The main nationalsources of water degradation have changedfrom sewage and industrial pollution to agricul-ture, storm water runoff, habitat, hydrology &landscape modifications, municipal wastewa-ter, and air deposition. See http://blog.epa.gov/waterforum/2010/08/draft-clean-water-

strategy-is-released/ The paper states that therate at which new waters are being listed forwater quality impairments exceeds the pace atwhich restored waters are removed from thelist. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has saidto see a huge leap forward in water quality aswe saw in the 1970s after the passage of theCleanWater Act we must improve and adapt regula-tions, permitting and compliance/enforcementefforts to change our current path.One plan is to expand municipal storm water

permitting coverage to currently unregulatedareas and establish performance standards forStorm water discharges from newly developedand redeveloped sites that result in reduceddischarge of pollutants, including through theuse of green infrastructure techniques.Also, EPA will increase protection of highquality waters, including revisions to waterquality standards to strengthen anti-degradation provisions, and focus on protect-ing those waters that are threatened by coaland hard rock mining activities.

EPA would work with the Department ofAgriculture to provide funding for nutrientand sediment reductions through Sections 319and 117 Program, Clean Water StateRevolving Fund, STAR grants and USDAConservation programs. ~

The Growth of NPDES

The Future ofStorm waterPermittingSection 402 (NPDES) of the Clean Water Actof 1972 (officially the Federal Water PollutionAct) was the tool EPA used for 20 years toreduce pollution from municipal sanitarytreatment facilities and waste water from

industrial activities.Although storm water permits were regulatedby the 1972 law, few storm water permits wereissued until Congress specifically requiredEPA issue storm water permits by amendingthe Act in 1987.Over the last 20 years, 50,000 storm waterpermits were issued

.

Other traditional NPDES permits issued since1972 are wastewater, sanitary waste includingsanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) andCombined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), sewagesludge, pretreatment of industrial wastewater,ocean discharges and non-contact coolingwater.Concentrated animal feeding operations(CAFOs) were regulated in the 1972 law butonly actively pursued by EPA in the last fewyears.

Regulatory Corner


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

18/31

Recently the federal courts have interpreted the Clean Water Act to require NPDES permits for vessels,logging trails and pesticide applications on or near water bodies. Looking Forward to Revised PermitsReissued industrial permits will focus on minimizing exposure, reissued construction permits will be morestringent, and municipal reissued permits will expand regulation beyond the urbanized area and requiremore inspections. California has begun electronic permitting including the NOI, SWPPP submission andreports - all submitted electronically. EPA is moving in the same direction and by 2012 some NPDES re-porting must be submitted to an EPA database that is publically accessed. Total Maximum Daily Loads(TMDLs) are essentially pollution budgets for specific water bodies. EPA and the states are scheduled todevelop as many as 40,000 TMDLs over the next 15 years. There is an EPA handbook for applying total

maximum loads (TMDL) to storm water permits. The development of TMDLwaste load allocations is scientifically, legally and politically challenging.TMDL waste load allocations for all rivers discharging into the Chesapeake Bay will begin next year. Expectincreased enforcement. EPA enforcement guidance requires EPA regional offices to convince states to en-force water permits, and where they dont EPA will take federal enforcement action. That appears to behappening now. Permit fees will increase. EPA will provide additional funding for NPDES where states in-crease permit fees to provide greater sustainability. California is increasing storm water fees by 21%.

Continue The Growth of NPDES

The Future ofStorm water

Permitting


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

19/31


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

20/31

HHS and EPA announce new scientific assessments and actions on fluoride

Agencies working together to maintain benefits of preventing tooth decaywhile preventing excessive exposure

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency (EPA) today are announcing important steps to ensure that standards andguidelines on fluoride in drinking water continue to provide the maximum protection to the Americanpeople to support good dental health, especially in children. HHS is proposing that the recommendedlevel of fluoride in drinking water can be set at the lowest end of the current optimal range to preventtooth decay, and EPA is initiating review of the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water.

These actions will maximize the health benefits of water fluoridation, an important tool in the preventionof tooth decay while reducing the possibility of children receiving too much fluoride. The Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention named the fluoridation of drinking water one of the ten great public healthachievements of the 20th century.

One of water fluoridations biggest advantages is that it benefits all residents of a communityat home,work, school, or play, said HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH. Todays an-nouncement is part of our ongoing support of appropriate fluoridation for community water systems, andits effectiveness in preventing tooth decay throughout ones lifetime.

Today both HHS and EPA are making announcements on fluoride based on the most up to date scien-tific data, said EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, Peter Silva. EPAs new analysis willhelp us make sure that people benefit from tooth decay prevention while at the same time avoiding theunwanted health effects from too much fluoride.

HHS and EPA reached an understanding of the latest science on fluoride and its effect on tooth decayprevention and the development of dental fluorosis that may occur with excess fluoride consumptionduring the tooth forming years, age 8 and younger. Dental fluorosis in the United States appears mostlyin the very mild or mild form as barely visible lacy white markings or spots on the enamel. The severeform of dental fluorosis, with staining and pitting of the tooth surface, is rare in the United States.

There are several reasons for the changes seen over time, including that Americans have access tomore sources of fluoride than they did when water fluoridation was first introduced in the United Statesin the 1940s. Water is now one of several sources of fluoride. Other common sources include dentalproducts such as toothpaste and mouth rinses, prescription fluoride supplements, and fluoride appliedby dental professionals. Water fluoridation and fluoride toothpaste are largely responsible for the signifi-

cant decline in tooth decay in the U.S. over the past several decades.

HHS proposed recommendation of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water replaces the current rec-ommended range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams. This updated recommendation is based on recent EPA andHHS scientific assessments to balance the benefits of preventing tooth decay while limiting any un-wanted health effects. These scientific assessments will also guide EPA in making a determination ofwhether to lower the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water, which is set to prevent ad-verse health effects.


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

21/31

The new EPA assessments of fluoride were undertaken in response to findings of the National Acad-emies of Science (NAS). At EPAs request, in 2006 NAS reviewed new data on fluoride and issued a

report recommending that EPA update its health and exposure assessments to take into account boneand dental effects and to consider all sources of fluoride. In addition to EPAs new assessments and theNAS report, HHS also considered current levels of tooth decay and dental fluorosis and fluid consump-tion across the United States.

The notice of the proposed recommendation will be published in the Federal Register soon and HHS willaccept comments from the public and stakeholders on the proposed recommendation for 30 days [email protected]. HHS is expecting to publish final guidance for community water fluoridationby spring 2011. You may view a prepublication version of the proposed recommendation at ------------------- http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/01/pre_pub_frn_fluoride.html. Comments regarding theEPA documents, Fluoride: Dose-Response Analysis For Non-cancer Effects and Fluoride: Exposure

and Relative Source Contribution Analysisshould be sent to EPA at [email protected]. Thedocuments can be found at http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/fluoride_index.cfm

HHS and EPA announce new scientific assessments and actions on fluoride


7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

22/31


Project Summary:Project H2O-Help to Others- began in 2007 as a student-driven fundraising to buy individual waterfilters and personally deliver them to several water-thirsty communities in Africa. After learning aboutthe outrageous mortality rate of diseases related to unsafe drinking water a group of students from9th grade at Saint Johns School in San Juan, Puerto Rico, decided something had to be done to al-leviate this problem. Fundraisers were organized to buy 5,000 personal water filters and make themavailable to most needed places. Soon the project evolved into a large-scale non-profit organizationwhose goal became to not only educate the masses about the gravity of the crisis, but also to in-spire and engage them in becoming part of its solution. Two years into the project, students (noweducators about water issues) extended the project to reach out to communities and citizens inPuerto Rico. Outreach events performed in the school, in the community and in Puerto Ricos larg-est mall (Plaza Las Americas) gave students an insight on the little knowledge common citizens(from all walks of life) have about their water footprint and water as a finite resource, vital for humanhealth and ecosystems. Currently students are working on reaching out to communities in PuertoRico who have access to potable water through wells or community water systems (not connectedto the Puerto Rico Water and Sewer Authority). In 2011 they will perform more outreach events toraise awareness about water. Supporting materials for these outreach events include a postcardabout how much water we use in everyday activities and a sticker to put in bathrooms to help con-serve water. As a tool to further accomplish this feat, Project H2O: Help to Others has been captur-ing its development through a documentary film. With interviews that range from scholars and ex-perts hailing from universities such as Oxford, Harvard, MIT, Columbia, University of Puerto Ricoand more, to the people who first-handedly suffer from this crisis to those in environmental agencies(such as EPA), this work will be a legacy for this and future generations who want to understand thefull scope of this crisis and how it rests in our hands to solve it. Project H2O: Help to Others contin-ues to organize several events to aid the cause, including: the World Water Week, educationalseminars, fundraising marathons, and hands-on local community service, amongst others.Project H2O has received substantial media coverage in Puerto Rico.

Project Timeline and Achievements

Each year, millions of people die due to diseases that relate directly to the inaccessibility of safe

drinking water. Project H2O- Help to Others embarked in a mission to help with this problem. Afterwitnessing firsthand extremely poor communities lacking clean freshwater and adequate sanitation,our vision of the world water situation changed. We came back with a renovated goal: educate peo-ple in our country about understanding the gravity of the water crisis and engage everyone into help-ing find solutions to conserve this essential resource.

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

23/31


First stage: Define our purpose and organize ourselves as a community service group. Raise funds to help people have access to safe drinking water. We identified an international problem: the impending world water crisis and delineated a

strategy to assist vulnerable people. Helping others is our main goal.2007 - We founded a community service project called Project H2O Help to Others. After learningabout the outrageous mortality rate of water-related diseases we decided something had to be doneto alleviate this problem. Fundraisers were organized to buy 5,000 personal water filters and makethem available to most needed places.2008 - Three Kenyan communities were chosen, based on the World Water Poverty Index, to beprovided with these personal filters (Lifestraws). We traveled to Kenya, to deliver them personallyand visited three schools, a hospital and several villages. While handing out these filters we wit-nessed their extremely deprived living conditions, yet wrought together with a grand surviving spirit.Second stage: Help raise awareness Educate our groups, communities and citizens in Puerto Rico. As we learned more, we be-

came educators of the water issue: first in our school community, then in our country. Continue fundraising. Educate & engage the community.2009 After presenting our project in Saint Johns School Community Service Fair it was endorsedby other schoolmates. Raising the awareness of the looming water crisis among our school commu-nity became our main task. Our meetings revolved around our experience in Africa and how wecould help others that suffer from the lack of freshwater and sanitation. Questions arose about thewater conditions in Puerto Rico and in the USA.At the same time, we raised money to build a water tank for the Sweetwater School in Nanyuki,Kenya. The tank was successfully built, solving a mayor problem in this school.2010 March 22nd is celebrated around the world as the World Water Day. We asked authorizationto the School administration to celebrate this day. Such a day was never been celebrated in ourschool, nor at any other school in Puerto Rico. It becomes evident we must educate our school com-munity before the celebration. In order to raise awareness on the impending water crisis we re-

searched and organized materials concerning this crisis on the preceding weeks to this significantday. We visited students and teachers and made simple power point presentations to teach themthe abcs of the world water situation.

More significantly, the World Water Day in our school became not only a vital day for water alert-ness, but also a fundraiser. The administration approved a casual day. In order to wear a blue T-shirt (symbolizing our blue planet) and jeans, one would have to pay $2.00. Our project arrangedthat the money would go to The American Red Cross to help Haitis-who was lacking potable waterin many areas after the catastrophic earthquake in February.

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

24/31


The education of our fellow students is an ongoing assignment in our meetings, yet we have under-taken a new objective: to examine the water situation in our country, Puerto Rico.We started by asking ourselves if our bigger community had a basic knowledge of the state of thisessential resource: Is water finite or not? What percentage of the world is water? Of that percentage, what percentage is fresh water

and available for us to use, without undergoing desalination, nor having to melt it? Who is the BIG water user of the world? How much water is spent taking a shower or a bath; brushing our teeth; washing our clothes

or doing the dishes? What do the concepts: water footprint and virtual water mean?

To assess this knowledge or lack of it, we decided to conduct surveys in various locations, on differ-ent days, and to a wide and varied population, in order to get a good sample of our group of study.As of the end of September 2010, more than 650 subjects have answered our survey and our goalis to double this figure. Results will be studied and conclusions will be drawn in the coming months.Summer 2010 - Another aspect that needed to address was Puerto Ricos present situation con-cerning accessibility to freshwater and adequate sanitation. Approximately 5% of the Puerto Ricanpopulation is living in 246 non-PRASA communities (not connected to PR Aqueduct and SewageAuthority). They are battling for secure access to clean water and to proper and healthy sanitation

facilities.During this past summer we visited a rural non-PRASA community in San Germn, to the west ofPR. We wanted to learn about the living conditions of this community in relation to fresh water. Bycontacting the Dept. of Civil and Mechanical Engineering of the University of PR at Mayaguez, wewere not only able to see how does the experimental drum filtration/chlorination system works, butactually carried out ourselves some water sampling and analysis, with the guidance of professorSanghul Hwang and other students from the University. Most importantly, we met with some com-munity members and talked about the positive changes this filtration system has brought to theirdaily lives.In late 2010 we invited Engineer Carl Soderberg to Saint Johns School to give a conference ad-dressing the water situation in PR in order raise awareness within our school community about said

subject . Mr. Soderberg has been the Director of EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in PR forthe last 18 years and is an expert on the subject.

Future plans:

Helping Puerto Rican communities:

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

25/31


Sadly enough we have learned that there are many communities in our Island that are notconnected to PR Aqueduct and Sewage Authority and suffer from shortage of water and waterborne diseases that are preventable. One of these is the town of Patillas. Our plan is to visit thePatillas community, accompanied by members of the EPA to learn about the particularities of theirfresh water needs. Our goal is to help this community to obtain access to clean water and live ahealthy life.Walk for Water: We are planning to hold this event during Spring of 2011. It main focus will be awareness.

We will walk a few miles by the beach carrying 1 to 5 gallons containers of seawater so people canfeel the heavy burden of walking long distances for water. We will return the water to the ocean afterreaching our destination and there will be a discussion on water saving options.Celebration of World Water Day: We have institutionalized in our school this celebration. Our new goal is to extend it to otherschools in Puerto Rico, both private and public, to make it the National Day of Water Awareness. Asusual, it will be celebrated on March 22nd, and will require a couple of previous weeks of educationof the community to make it a success.Epilogue:Through our project we have learned that the world is rapidly moving towards a global water crisis,mainly because of these issues: quantity of water, quality of water, lack of sanitation and lack of hy-giene. We cant take water for granted, yet we live as if it was an infinite natural resource. We cantsurvive without water; there is no substitute for it. Our projects goal is to educate and engage ourcommunity so we can reduce our water footprint on the planet and save water for future genera-tions.

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

26/31


El pasado mes de julio, durante la sesin de adiestramiento de verano (Summer Workshop) en las oficinasde AWWA en Denver, Colorado, nuestro Presidente, Sr. Jaime Lpez, la Presidenta Electa, Lic. Irma Lpezy este su servidor realizamos unas gestiones para lograr una visita a Puerto Rico de los directivos de msalto rango de AWWA. La visita tendra como objetivo lograr una reunin con el Presidente de la Autoridad deAcueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA), Ing. Jos Ortiz con el propsito de fortalecer la relacin de la AAA, ensu calidad de Utility Member y la AWWA.

Como resultado de las gestiones descritas anteriormente, el da 13 de enero de 2011, arribaron a nuestraisla el Presidente de AWWA, Ing. Joseph Mantua y el Director Ejecutivo de AWWA, el Sr. David La France.Ambos ejecutivos estuvieron participando de varias actividades que describiremos a continuacin.

Reconocimiento a Estudiantes:

En la maana del viernes 14 de enero participamos de un desayuno en donde el Ing. Mantua y el Sr. LaFrance, en unin a la seccin de Puerto Rico hicimos un reconocimiento a tres estudiantes de escuela supe-rior por los logros alcanzados en una iniciativa que ellos mismos bautizaron Proyecto H2O.

De izquierda a derecha: Albert Ortiz, Irma Lpez, Michele Ray, David La France,Nicole Ray, Cecilia Graa Rosa, Joe Mantua, Carlos Nevares y Jaime Lpez.

El Proyecto H2O fue creado por los estudiantes Nicole Ray, Cecilia Graa Rosa y Carlos Nevares. El mismocomenz en 2007 con el propsito de ayudar a levantar fondos para comprar y entregar personalmente fil-tros de agua a nios estudiantes de comunidades necesitadas de agua en frica. Esta experiencia motiv aestos tres estudiantes a continuar haciendo actividades para crear conciencia de la importancia que tiene lacalidad y la disponibilidad del agua potable para la salud de los seres humanos. En esta misma edicin delNotiagua tendrn la oportunidad de leer un resumen de lo que estos tres estudiantes han logrado a travsdel Proyecto H2O. En la foto podrn observar a los tres estudiantes y a Michele, hermanita de Nicole, quienheredar el batn para continuar desarrollando el proyecto en la escuela porque este ao Nicole, Cecilia yCarlos se graduarn de escuela superior.

Visita de Directivos de AWWA a Puerto RicoPor: Albert Ortiz Director AWWA, PR

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

27/31


Reunin con el Presidente de la AAA:

Despus del desayuno con los estudiantes nos trasladamos a la oficina del Presidente de la AAA, el Ing. Jo-s Ortiz. Esta reunin tena el objetivo de fortalecer la relacin de la AAA, en su calidad de Utility Member yla AWWA. Durante la reunin el Ing. Jos Ortiz hizo una breve descripcin del progreso de la AAA en losltimos cinco a seis aos. Tambin el Ing. Ortiz destac las reas de inters para la AAA principalmente suinters en participar ms activamente en foros como el Utility Council y otros comits de AWWA para bene-ficio y desarrollo de la Autoridad y de sus empleados.

De izquierda a derecha: Irma Lpez, Jaime Lpez, David La France, Jos Ortiz,Joe Mantua, Albert Ortiz y Jos Cpeles.

Por su parte, David La France y el Ing. Joseph Mantua hicieron una descripcin detallada de los beneficiosque poda obtener la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados a travs de su membresa como utilidad quetrata, produce y distribuye agua potable en Puerto Rico. Luego de la reunin invitamos al Ing. Jos Ortiz y alIng. Jos Cpeles para que compartieran con nosotros en un almuerzo.

Visita a EcoElctrica:

Terminamos el da con una visita a las instalaciones de EcoElctrica localizadas en el Barrio Tallaboa delmunicipio de Peuelas. Nos recibieron el Sr. Jaime Sanabria, CPA, Co-Presidente y Gerente General, el Sr.Carlos A. Reyes, P.E. y Gerente de Planta, el Sr. Adolfo Antompietri, Gerente de Operaciones y el Lic. OscarCedeo, Gerente del Terminal de Gas Natural Lquido. La visita tena como objetivo que los directivos deAWWA hicieran una presentacin de los beneficios que representa para Eco Elctrica convertirse en unUtility Member de AWWA. Los directivos de Eco Elctrica mostraron mucho inters en la informacin queles fue presentada y le informaron a nuestro Presidente que prximamente estarn sometiendo la solicitudpara esta membresa.

EcoElctrica es elegible para solicitar y adquirir este tipo de membresa porque en sus instalaciones desalini-zan cerca de dos (2) millones de galones de agua de mar utilizando la tecnologa de destilacin termal. Deltotal de 2 MGD de agua desalinizada, un (1) milln es consumida en sus calderas para producir vapor y elvolumen restante puede ser procesado para convertirla en agua potable y distribuirla a travs de la red dedistribucin de la AAA o vendida a la central termoelctrica Costa Sur.

En resumen, la visita de los directivos de AWWA a nuestra isla fue una bien productiva y de mucho beneficiopara nuestro pas y para nuestra organizacin profesional, PRW&EA. Agradecemos a AWWA, al Presidente,Joe Mantua y al Director Ejecutivo David LaFrance por la visita y por apoyar los esfuerzos y los planes denuestro Presidente y la Junta Directiva.

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

28/31


Membership NewsYear End ReportAWWA ended 2010 with 54,813 members including 4,772 new members, and a retention rate of87.89%.Your continued support is very important for recruitment and retention efforts throughout2011, and will also add members to your section. Membership will continue to send monthly sectionretention reports to help you track your progress.

Member Appreciation Campaign Has a Winner!

Thank you to the 18 sections that participated in Member Appreciation. The winner is the PuertoRico Section. Read the article in this issue of Section Direction for details about all the activities. Toplan for 2011, contact Laurie Nelson at [email protected] or 303.347.6226.

Membership Application Forms2011 membership forms have been posted to the web site! You will notice some changes to the newforms, including a permanent $99 rate for Young Professionals. Additionally, Bonus Points for or-ganizational members have been replaced with a 25% discount to first year dues. Updated Spanishand French versions of the applications are also available online.

2011 Organizational Save Strategy

AWWA has seen an increase in the number of late organizations, and we are going to ask for yourhelp in 2011 to retain utilities and service providers. Although there is a robust retention strategy inplace, often it is local contacts from the Section that help keep a member on board.Once a month your section receives a list of late organizational members that have not renewed af-ter contacts by AWWA. Please call or email any members from your section to encourage them torenew, or to find out why they are not renewing. If you have questions, contact Melanie Penoyar,Laurie Nelson or JoAnn Galindo in Membership.

Recruitment StrategiesThere are many recruitment strategies planned for 2011. Here are some of the highlights:Direct mail and email recruitment campaigns targeted to utility, individual, and operator member

prospects will be mailed throughout the year.

Member-Get-A-Member UpdateThanks to all the members for continuing to support AWWA through your commitment to member-ship recruitment. 592 members participated in our Member-Get-A-Member program in 2010 with1,398 new members! We hope to surpass this number in 2011, but we need your help encouragingnon-members to join the association. Details on this years program will be announced soon!

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

29/31


Section Recruitment CampaignsThank you to the 23 Sections participating in the Individual/Section recruitment direct mail. The mail-ing was sent on October 4 to 50,000 names from the section lists and external mailing lists. We lookforward to working with you again in the spring!

Retention Strategies A member value campaign will be implemented throughout 2011. Each quarter, members willreceive an email or direct mail piece with value messages about AWWA. The messages will be de-veloped based on member type. We will continue to celebrate a large Member Appreciation eventduring the fourth quarter. Renewing members receive up to three invoices. They also receive a reminder email with thefirst invoice. Renewing members receive several touches until they renew. Late individual members receive postcards each month as part of a win back campaign, andemail reminder notices are sent to all members who are about to be canceled. Members getting their last issue of Journal AWWA and Opflowreceive a reminder notice that ismailed out with each publication.

For complete details on AWWA retention activities, see the chart included in this issue, orcontact Laurie Nelson, [email protected].

Member Appreciation 2010AWWA celebrated Member Appreciation during November and 18 Sections held activities during thefourth quarter. The contest winner for Member Appreciation is Puerto Rico! The Puerto Rico Sec-tion had the highest net increase in the total number of members from September 1 through De-cember 31, 7%, and won the prize. AWWA will pay all travel and hotel expenses to sendone representative from their section to the Membership Matters 2011 Summit January 27-29 inDenver. Thanks to all of the sections that supported Member Appreciation!

YP Challenge 2010Por: Carlos A. Ortiz Rosado

El comit de jvenes profesionales (Young Professionals YP, por sus siglas en ingles) de AWWArealiza una actividad de reclutamiento cada ao. El pasado ao (2010) participaron 25 secciones.La seccin ganadora del reto de reclutamiento lo fue la seccin de Puerto Rico.

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

30/31


PRE-VENTA EXHIBIDORES

Sohos Tapas Bar & RestaurantAve: Roosevelt10 de febrero de 20117:00 p.m.11:00 p.m.

7/31/2019 NotiAgua 27, 2

31/31


Pendiente- ene-ro-YP & StudentChapterVisita a PlantaAbbott

31- enero-Ultimo da entre-gar Call ForPapers

10-febrero-Pre Venta deExhibidores, SohoRest.Ave. Roosevelt

18- febrero-YP & StudentChapterVisita TcnicaEnrique Ortega

23-febrero-

Almuerzo TcnicoCorrosion Controlin Electrical Pa-nels

22 al 26 -marzo-Water Week

Water SenseWebinar

Water TasteCompetition

Water Conserva-tion Campaign

Pendiente-marzo-YP & StudentChapterVisita Tcnica EcoElctrica

10 - abril-CompetenciaOPERCOMP11

14 -abril-SJWP 2011

13 y 14 -abril-Fat, Ol & GreaseManagement Se-minar

Pendiente-abril-

YP & StudentChapterVisita Tcnica aPfizer

30 abril Da nacional delmonitoreo de agua

16 - 20 mayo-PRW&EA AnnualConference andExhibition 2011

junio-ACE 2011, Was-hington DC.

Calendario de Actividades 2011

notiagua 27, 2

Documents