Articles by Pete Antoniewicz

31. Understanding PFAS' Impact On Remediation Strategies 1/8/2020

    For more than 16.5 million water-utility customers in 33 different states, contamination caused by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a source-water issue that will not go away for a long time. What are the practical options for community water systems currently confronting this challenge? Here is an overview of several treatments and their relative successes against a wide variety of PFAS compounds.

32. Preparing To Tackle The Hydra Of LCR Revisions 12/30/2019

    As a journalist serving the water industry — but not yet a seasoned technical veteran — I attended a recent Lead In Drinking Water Forum sponsored by AWWA NJ to learn about the challenges of complying with the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). What I heard impressed upon me the technical, administrative, and logistical challenges of delivering safe, lead-free drinking water all the way to user taps. Here are my takeaways.

33. Understanding And Coping With Struvite/Vivianite Formation In WWTPs 12/21/2018

    Based on wastewater properties, various types of mineral buildup can affect wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) piping. With their impacts on plant energy efficiency and potential restriction of throughput capacity, keeping pipes free-flowing is an important aspect of WWTP operations. Here’s guidance for coping with two common problems associated with phosphorus concentrations in wastewater — struvite and vivianite.

34. Trouble In Paradise, And A Plan To Alleviate It 12/4/2018

    While San Diego has a reputation for beautiful weather in a sunny seaside setting, its growing population in the southernmost area of rain-starved California is a recipe for trouble in paradise. That challenge has spurred the creation of Pure Water San Diego — a multi-phase, multi-year program with the goal of using recycled water for up to one-third of San Diego’s water supply by the year 2035.

35. Engineering The Success Of Your Next Infrastructure Project 11/19/2018

    Whether your water utility is challenged with increasingly stringent standards, implementing new technology, or coping with aging infrastructure replacement, new project implementation concerns can be daunting. Take advantage of proven practices from experienced water industry professionals to put your project on the right track with sound evaluation of engineering assistance for your project.

36. Operator Certification Training: Hope For The Future Of Water 11/14/2018

    As the anticipated retirements of an aging utility workforce are raising concerns among water utilities nationwide, the issue of attracting, training, and retaining qualified replacements grows more urgent. To help water industry managers, employees, and prospective employees protect the public welfare, the industry offers a variety of certification guidance and assistance to get utilities where they need to be.

37. Industry Gut-Check: How's Your Utility Workforce? 10/29/2018

    In discussions with water industry suppliers and service organizations, the topic of a changing (i.e., aging) water workforce comes up quite frequently. Just how serious of a concern is it? How much of a threat does it pose to output quality and ongoing regulatory compliance at water treatment and wastewater treatment plants (WTPs/WWTPs) in the near future? Most important, what can be done to improve the situation?

38. Getting Serious About Lead Service Line Replacement 10/29/2018

    It has been 32 years since the amended Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) banned the installation of lead pipes in water systems nationwide. Unfortunately, that decision has not yet translated into action for every lead service line (LSL) installed before that point. Fortunately, someone has done a lot of legwork toward getting a handle on that process. Here is a preview of the help they have to offer.

39. Coping With Mixed-Source Water Quality And Corrosion Challenges 10/12/2018

    When it becomes necessary to expand or blend water supply sources, variety is not necessarily the spice of life. Whether new water sources are surface water or groundwater, fresh, brackish, seawater, or water recovered from aquifer storage, they can ultimately impact water treatment plant (WTP) operations and finished water quality — including compliance with the U.S. EPA Lead and Copper Rule.

40. How To Become More Successful At Funding Water Infrastructure 10/12/2018

    Prioritizing and funding pressing infrastructure needs can be challenging for water treatment and wastewater treatment plants (WTPs/WWTPs) of any size. The problems are particularly stressful for smaller utilities where a thin layer of upper management staff wears an inordinate number of hats. The good news is that funding assistance does exist — if you know where to look for it and take the right steps to apply for it.