Having recently published an article in AWWA Water Science, Christopher Douglas answered questions from the publication's editor-in-chief, Kenneth L. Mercer, about the research. Systematic Oversizing of Service Lines and Water Meters Christopher Douglas, Steven Buchberger, and Peter Mayer Currently I'm working as an assistant engineer at Hazen and Sawyer and progressing toward my Professional Engineer license rather than pursuing research as part of a group. I'm learning a lot about pumping water, assessment programs, and sewer and pipe rehabilitation. Christopher and his fiancée Adeline take a day hike outside of Colorado Springs, Colo. Christopher poses with his new-to-him bike. He's teaching himself how to replace the rear brake cable and looks forward to taking it out for a spin. I can think of a lot of teachers and mentors who have influenced me, but I'll answer this question with a shout-out to my graduate advisor, Dr. Steve Buchberger. We met each week to talk about my research and every week he had me prepare a one-page summary of my progress since the previous meeting. He was enthusiastic about the courses he taught and his research, but documenting my work throughout the entire project was an incredibly useful habit to build and something I try to maintain. I think it helps keep me focused on problems I'm capable of solving instead of going down rabbit holes. The civil engineering ethos says, “Design it a little bigger than you think it should be—after all, who knows what could happen,” which is sound advice. But this philosophy has drawbacks that are not often discussed. In addition to the cost of paying for something bigger than we need (e.g., a water meter), we're designing pumps and pipes to handle more flow than necessary. The method for sizing a building's plumbing system hasn't really been overhauled since the early 1940s, and we can come up with lower, more accurate peak flow estimates than could have been done back then. The effects of lowering the peak design flow ripple through a project to the cost of the meter, connection and service fees, pipe size, and sizing hydraulic equipment such as pumps inside the building. In the long term, it could be used to revise building codes. This would lead to lower building costs and energy costs in the form of smaller meters, pipes, pumps, and water heaters, as well as a better picture of how much water consumers use. I grew up, and live, in Ohio. Around here, some of our main issues related to water are aging infrastructure, pollution from surface runoff, and localized flooding, so right-sizing of water meters just isn't the first priority. Honestly, the research did more to influence my views on water than the other way around. I exercise and cook as much as I can. I recently began to garden and purchased a used road bike that I'm learning to maintain and ride—working with my hands has been a nice change of pace for me since so much of my life is academic. I like going for hikes and dog walks with my new fiancée, as well as reading and learning to code in Python. To learn more about Christopher's research, visit the article online at https://doi.org/10.1002/aws2.1165.
As we begin a new year—AWWA's 140th, by the way—I cannot help but feel hopeful. Even though there isn't a true bright line between years and we still need to wear masks to protect each other's health (at least as 2021 begins), I feel hope. From time to time I have been known to say, “The world is run by those who show up.” The last time I publicly used that phrase was at the Young Professionals Summit last February. The point I make with this phrase is that if you want to change the world for the better, you must engage in the solution—you must show up. From the number of tweets, it appears the phrase and the concept resonate with the young professional audience. That, too, provides hope. Almost seven years ago, AWWA, Engineers Without Borders USA, and the American Society of Civil Engineers banded together to create Community Engineering Corps (CECorps). CECorps’ noble mission is to bring underserved communities and volunteers together to advance local engineering solutions. Learn about the Community Engineering Corps at www.CommunityEngineeringCorps.org. Every year, CECorps “shows up” to change the world for the better. While the technical support CECorps provides to underserved communities is critical, the magic of CECorps is the power of hope its volunteers bring to the communities they serve. Two recent examples show how CECorps helped with water infrastructure solutions. The Culver Lake Water Company—despite the implication of its name—depends on a single well (not a lake) as its water supply. The well is situated in a 1910 concrete structure. The system was challenged in meeting New Jersey regulatory standards, and the company lacked the necessary engineering analysis and funding to address the infrastructure issues until a small team of CECorps volunteers from AWWA's New Jersey Section stepped in to help. Today, equipped with a detailed report and analysis from the CECorps team, Culver Lake Water Company has a clear path for financing and improving its system. In Seattle, the educational opportunities at Nathan Hale High School include a commercial-sized greenhouse and a half-acre school garden—known as the Nathan Hale Urban Farm. The educational idea is to provide students with hands-on experiences that connect them to the earth, the food they eat, and their community. With the program's introduction came increased water demand for the school and the need for a better water solution. CECorps volunteers provided a preliminary design and concept for a rainwater collection system to supply the garden with water. The preliminary design and concept were used as part of a grant application which, along with additional assistance from the CECorps team, successfully led to a finished project for the school. CECorps’ core values require it to go beyond the technical projects, knowledge-sharing, and providing hope to these communities and groups. CECorps members also are committed to addressing infrastructure challenges in a socially responsible way. This includes promoting solutions that improve equity in access to public infrastructure, considering the needs of diverse populations, and engaging volunteers who reflect the communities helped by CECorps. In 2020, in support of advancing social responsibility, CECorps entered into a cooperative agreement with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). NSBE is a 45-year-old, student-governed, nonprofit organization. Cementing this collaboration is the fact that NSBE's mission also envisions hope for a better world. NSBE's mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and have a positive impact on the community. Even with great partners like NSBE, CECorps may not solve all the infrastructure challenges for all the underserved communities; but that will not stop us from showing up, providing hope, and solving what we can where we can. Steve Barr, who leads AWWA's CECorps work, puts it this way: “Solving these infrastructure challenges sometimes seems like pushing a big boulder uphill, but through CECorps I see the passion AWWA members have to help those who need help the most. I like showing up for that. It gives me hope.” It is a new year, so if you'd like to become a volunteer for CECorps, contact Steve Barr at sbarr@awwa.org to learn about how you or your section can get involved.
Journal AWWAVolume 113, Issue 5 p. 88-90 Standards Update New AWWA Manual Examines Elastomers John V. Ballun, Corresponding Author John V. Ballun marketing@valmatic.com Search for more papers by this authorShah Rahman, Shah Rahman shah.rahman@kci.com Search for more papers by this author John V. Ballun, Corresponding Author John V. Ballun marketing@valmatic.com Search for more papers by this authorShah Rahman, Shah Rahman shah.rahman@kci.com Search for more papers by this author First published: 02 June 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/awwa.1732Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume113, Issue5June 2021Pages 88-90 RelatedInformation
Key TakeawaysWastewater reuse and other nontraditional water supply options may become necessary for communities facing extended drought due to population shifts and climate change.A community survey and subsequent analyses uncovered misconceptions and gaps in public knowledge surrounding water resources and water reuse.Surveys are useful for understanding public knowledge and opinions but must be supplemented with meaningful education and outreach.Without genuine public engagement and trust‐building, water infrastructure projects might not align with a community's values and interests.
Early in 2020, when the severity of COVID-19 became evident, US water utilities implementing conservation programs had to act quickly to determine how to mitigate changes in their conservation programs and staffing. Prioritization and collaboration helped utility staff settle into their new way of working, which included adapting to online connection with customers and each other. These adaptations might lead to permanent changes. Thanks in large part to the power of technology, many water conservation and customer education programs have continued, with interest and participation even increasing in some cases.
