In established or stable communities, the replacement of existing infrastructure must be pursued ... more In established or stable communities, the replacement of existing infrastructure must be pursued where it is no longer economical to operate, deteriorated to a point where replacement is more cost effective than repairs, where the infrastructure no longer serves its intended purpose or no longer meets regulatory standards. Unfortunately available tools to help utilities determine when it is appropriate or cost effective to replace infrastructure are limited, and often site specific. However, it can be shown that utilities that do not make significant, ongoing contributions to the replacement (or reinvestment) in their infrastructure will incur substantial rate impacts to their customers in the future. These rate impacts are often deferred by current elected bodies in an attempt to protect their political careers. The result is the ongoing deferral of maintenance obligations that expose the utility to ever increasing risk of failure.
Critical Transitions in Water and Environmental Resources Management, Jun 25, 2004
A recent AWWWA survey indicated that there are over 60 aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) project... more A recent AWWWA survey indicated that there are over 60 aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects nation-wide, albeit many of those are in the test phase and not currently operational. Most of the systems are in areas where freshwater is injected into aquifer zones of relatively fresh native water. The limitations for such systems are mostly related to geo-chemical concerns. However, where the freshwater is injected into brackish water, ASR technology is not as well understood as some believe. Questions about the effects of buoyancy on the migration of the water, how well the system will operate over large injection horizons and the effects of the aquifer formation are all issues of concern. The current groundwater modeling software base (MODFLOW) is not sufficient to model ASR systems in brackish environments. As a result the authors have used SEAWAT, a USGS density driven model to look at these effects on some specific ASR systems: Collier County and Ft. Lauderdale in south Florida. Modeling ASR systems successfully can provide a tool for engineers and policy -makers for answering more extensive questions on non-potable ASR systems that might use surface waters or wastewater effluent. These ASR systems will need to answer concerns about nutrients, pathogens and potentially more exotic public health concerns such as endocrine disruptors. Using current Congressional directives to US EPA, may pose serious concerns in the near future despite the current analytical techniques not being available to detect the pharmaceuticals and viruses. The results of the modeling will shed light on limitations identified by the authors over the past several years, and provide some guidance as to their solutions.
British Journal of Applied Science and Technology, Jan 10, 2015
In the future, south Florida will be flush with water due to sea level rise and increased storm i... more In the future, south Florida will be flush with water due to sea level rise and increased storm intensity, meaning there are three options to deal with this problem – retreat, offshore discharges or finding a use for the water. The first is not an option so the others must be evaluated. To do so, the first task needed to identify solutions to this problem is to define the severity of the problem through a vulnerability analysis so the appropriate decisions can be made. Aims: The objectives of this research were to develop an accurate methodology for predicting impacts of sea level rise and rainfall patterns at the local level by identifying how existing topographic, groundwater and tidal data sources can be utilized to identify infrastructure vulnerable to sea level rise and flooding. Original Research Article Bloetscher et al.; BJAST, 7(1): 84-96, 2015; Article no.BJAST.2015.127 85 Study Design: Based on a study of monitoring well water levels on Miami Beach, it was noted that during the year, groundwater levels fluctuate due to tidal levels and rainfall, with the Fall king tides creating the highest vulnerability to infrastructure and property. Once vulnerability is defined a toolbox of options can be developed to deal with local issues. Results: The research found that the tides create a much larger vulnerability than current sea level rise analyses suggest and that the king tides drive the level of service for the community, while altering the dynamics of future stormwater planning efforts. To mitigate the impacts of flooding will require new ideas for dealing with excess waters. A toolbox of options was developed. Conclusion: One item that arose was that there is potential to use stormwater adaptation strategies to create future water supplies.
Page 1. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW & CASE STUDY Evaluating the Significance of Certain Pharmace... more Page 1. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW & CASE STUDY Evaluating the Significance of Certain Pharmaceuticals and Emerging Pathogens in Raw Water Supplies Frederick Bloetscher, Jeanine D. Plummer Pharmaceuticals and ...
Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment: Modeling and Risk Assessment Sixth Volume
Recent years have shown a trend by regulatory agencies towards increased scrutiny of metals in ef... more Recent years have shown a trend by regulatory agencies towards increased scrutiny of metals in effluent discharges. As a result, stricter enforcement and lower water quality criteria for metals have become more commonplace. Additionally, EPA policy, adopted in May of 1995, promotes the use of dissolved metals to set and measure compliance with water quality standards and presents alternatives to metals permitting. Implementation of such criterion leaves no room for sampling and analysis error, thus putting a premium on obtaining accurate, low concentration trace metal data. At stake are potential noncompliance fines, unnecessary treatment plant modifications, hampering the industrial development of an area, loss of discharge permits, and exposure to increasingly common third-party lawsuits. The scientific and regulatory communities are now in general agreement that historical background receiving water metal concentrations are substantially overestimated (U.S. EPA 1992, Windom et al. 1991). It is therefore reasonable to assume that the same contamination has and is occurring with conventional sampling and analytical methods for effluents. Historically the total recoverable form of the metal was used for evaluation of environmental impact. Recently the EPA (U.S. EPA 1995, U.S. EPA 1994) has recommended the only way to obtain such accurate metal data at low concentrations is through the implementation of clean chemistry techniques. These techniques have been developed in the Oceanographic Community over the past twenty years out of the necessity to minimize contamination and analyze ambient trace metal concentrations which are very low (Bruland et al. 1979, Patterson and Settle 1976, Shiller and Boyle 1985 and 1987). Case studies involving a paper mill effluent copper study, an estuarine receiving water zinc study, and a Virginia municipal wastewater facility are examples of the application and importance of such techniques for the domestic and industrial community. Data are not only defensible to regulators, but provide a more accurate view of background and effluent concentrations. These results improve the integrity of the database and typically resolve the majority of concerns. However, if the metal concentrations are above levels of concern, various permitting alternatives such as the chemical translator approach, water effects ratios, recalculation of mixing zones, seasonally tiered permits or variances could be pursued. These alternatives focus on the toxic forms of the metals. This approach accommodates improved information and data to protect the environment, without diverting significant funds from other needs.
Because of widely varying practices in solid waste management, an all-inclusive solution to long-... more Because of widely varying practices in solid waste management, an all-inclusive solution to long-term management of landfill leachate is currently not available. There is a major technological need for sustainable, economical options for safe discharge of leachate to the environment. Two potential on-site pretreatment technologies, photochemical iron-mediated aeration (PIMA) and TiO(2) photocatalysis were compared for treatment of landfill leachate at laboratory scale. Results of bench scale testing of real landfill leachate with PIMA and TiO(2) photocatalysis showed up to 86% conversion of refractory COD to complete mineralization, up to 91% removal of lead, up to 71% removal of ammonia without pH adjustment, and up to 90% effective color removal with detention times between 4 and 6h, in field samples. The estimated contact times for 90% removal of COD, ammonia, lead, and color were found to be on the order of 10-200 h for PIMA and 3-37 h for TiO(2) photocatalysis. Testing with actual leachate samples showed 85% TiO(2) photocatalyst recovery efficiency with no loss in performance after multiple (n>4 uses). Pre-filtration was not found to be necessary for effective treatment using either process.
In established or stable communities, the replacement of existing infrastructure must be pursued ... more In established or stable communities, the replacement of existing infrastructure must be pursued where it is no longer economical to operate, deteriorated to a point where replacement is more cost effective than repairs, where the infrastructure no longer serves its intended purpose or no longer meets regulatory standards. Unfortunately available tools to help utilities determine when it is appropriate or cost effective to replace infrastructure are limited, and often site specific. However, it can be shown that utilities that do not make significant, ongoing contributions to the replacement (or reinvestment) in their infrastructure will incur substantial rate impacts to their customers in the future. These rate impacts are often deferred by current elected bodies in an attempt to protect their political careers. The result is the ongoing deferral of maintenance obligations that expose the utility to ever increasing risk of failure.
Critical Transitions in Water and Environmental Resources Management, Jun 25, 2004
A recent AWWWA survey indicated that there are over 60 aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) project... more A recent AWWWA survey indicated that there are over 60 aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects nation-wide, albeit many of those are in the test phase and not currently operational. Most of the systems are in areas where freshwater is injected into aquifer zones of relatively fresh native water. The limitations for such systems are mostly related to geo-chemical concerns. However, where the freshwater is injected into brackish water, ASR technology is not as well understood as some believe. Questions about the effects of buoyancy on the migration of the water, how well the system will operate over large injection horizons and the effects of the aquifer formation are all issues of concern. The current groundwater modeling software base (MODFLOW) is not sufficient to model ASR systems in brackish environments. As a result the authors have used SEAWAT, a USGS density driven model to look at these effects on some specific ASR systems: Collier County and Ft. Lauderdale in south Florida. Modeling ASR systems successfully can provide a tool for engineers and policy -makers for answering more extensive questions on non-potable ASR systems that might use surface waters or wastewater effluent. These ASR systems will need to answer concerns about nutrients, pathogens and potentially more exotic public health concerns such as endocrine disruptors. Using current Congressional directives to US EPA, may pose serious concerns in the near future despite the current analytical techniques not being available to detect the pharmaceuticals and viruses. The results of the modeling will shed light on limitations identified by the authors over the past several years, and provide some guidance as to their solutions.
British Journal of Applied Science and Technology, Jan 10, 2015
In the future, south Florida will be flush with water due to sea level rise and increased storm i... more In the future, south Florida will be flush with water due to sea level rise and increased storm intensity, meaning there are three options to deal with this problem – retreat, offshore discharges or finding a use for the water. The first is not an option so the others must be evaluated. To do so, the first task needed to identify solutions to this problem is to define the severity of the problem through a vulnerability analysis so the appropriate decisions can be made. Aims: The objectives of this research were to develop an accurate methodology for predicting impacts of sea level rise and rainfall patterns at the local level by identifying how existing topographic, groundwater and tidal data sources can be utilized to identify infrastructure vulnerable to sea level rise and flooding. Original Research Article Bloetscher et al.; BJAST, 7(1): 84-96, 2015; Article no.BJAST.2015.127 85 Study Design: Based on a study of monitoring well water levels on Miami Beach, it was noted that during the year, groundwater levels fluctuate due to tidal levels and rainfall, with the Fall king tides creating the highest vulnerability to infrastructure and property. Once vulnerability is defined a toolbox of options can be developed to deal with local issues. Results: The research found that the tides create a much larger vulnerability than current sea level rise analyses suggest and that the king tides drive the level of service for the community, while altering the dynamics of future stormwater planning efforts. To mitigate the impacts of flooding will require new ideas for dealing with excess waters. A toolbox of options was developed. Conclusion: One item that arose was that there is potential to use stormwater adaptation strategies to create future water supplies.
Page 1. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW & CASE STUDY Evaluating the Significance of Certain Pharmace... more Page 1. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW & CASE STUDY Evaluating the Significance of Certain Pharmaceuticals and Emerging Pathogens in Raw Water Supplies Frederick Bloetscher, Jeanine D. Plummer Pharmaceuticals and ...
Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment: Modeling and Risk Assessment Sixth Volume
Recent years have shown a trend by regulatory agencies towards increased scrutiny of metals in ef... more Recent years have shown a trend by regulatory agencies towards increased scrutiny of metals in effluent discharges. As a result, stricter enforcement and lower water quality criteria for metals have become more commonplace. Additionally, EPA policy, adopted in May of 1995, promotes the use of dissolved metals to set and measure compliance with water quality standards and presents alternatives to metals permitting. Implementation of such criterion leaves no room for sampling and analysis error, thus putting a premium on obtaining accurate, low concentration trace metal data. At stake are potential noncompliance fines, unnecessary treatment plant modifications, hampering the industrial development of an area, loss of discharge permits, and exposure to increasingly common third-party lawsuits. The scientific and regulatory communities are now in general agreement that historical background receiving water metal concentrations are substantially overestimated (U.S. EPA 1992, Windom et al. 1991). It is therefore reasonable to assume that the same contamination has and is occurring with conventional sampling and analytical methods for effluents. Historically the total recoverable form of the metal was used for evaluation of environmental impact. Recently the EPA (U.S. EPA 1995, U.S. EPA 1994) has recommended the only way to obtain such accurate metal data at low concentrations is through the implementation of clean chemistry techniques. These techniques have been developed in the Oceanographic Community over the past twenty years out of the necessity to minimize contamination and analyze ambient trace metal concentrations which are very low (Bruland et al. 1979, Patterson and Settle 1976, Shiller and Boyle 1985 and 1987). Case studies involving a paper mill effluent copper study, an estuarine receiving water zinc study, and a Virginia municipal wastewater facility are examples of the application and importance of such techniques for the domestic and industrial community. Data are not only defensible to regulators, but provide a more accurate view of background and effluent concentrations. These results improve the integrity of the database and typically resolve the majority of concerns. However, if the metal concentrations are above levels of concern, various permitting alternatives such as the chemical translator approach, water effects ratios, recalculation of mixing zones, seasonally tiered permits or variances could be pursued. These alternatives focus on the toxic forms of the metals. This approach accommodates improved information and data to protect the environment, without diverting significant funds from other needs.
Because of widely varying practices in solid waste management, an all-inclusive solution to long-... more Because of widely varying practices in solid waste management, an all-inclusive solution to long-term management of landfill leachate is currently not available. There is a major technological need for sustainable, economical options for safe discharge of leachate to the environment. Two potential on-site pretreatment technologies, photochemical iron-mediated aeration (PIMA) and TiO(2) photocatalysis were compared for treatment of landfill leachate at laboratory scale. Results of bench scale testing of real landfill leachate with PIMA and TiO(2) photocatalysis showed up to 86% conversion of refractory COD to complete mineralization, up to 91% removal of lead, up to 71% removal of ammonia without pH adjustment, and up to 90% effective color removal with detention times between 4 and 6h, in field samples. The estimated contact times for 90% removal of COD, ammonia, lead, and color were found to be on the order of 10-200 h for PIMA and 3-37 h for TiO(2) photocatalysis. Testing with actual leachate samples showed 85% TiO(2) photocatalyst recovery efficiency with no loss in performance after multiple (n>4 uses). Pre-filtration was not found to be necessary for effective treatment using either process.
International Journal of Engineering Technologies and Management Research, 2020
This project evaluated the use of titanium dioxide for leachate treatment and recovery of methods... more This project evaluated the use of titanium dioxide for leachate treatment and recovery of methods for TiO2, using a TiO2 recovery technology, which was high enough to be economical ($10-$15 per 1,000 gallons) to be adopted by wastewater treatment plants. When comparing recovery technologies, the three which were investigated further through experimentation were a centrifuge, sedimentation tank, and microfilter membrane. Upon experimentation and research, the TiO2 recovery efficiencies of these technologies were 99.5%, 92.5%, and 96.3%, respectively. When doing economic analysis on these technologies comparing TiO2 efficiencies and capital and operational costs, the centrifuge was the most preferred economic option. It was found that costs were in the economical range ($10-$15/1,000 gallons). TiO2: settling behavior, particle size and zeta potential, interactions with COD, and filter operations (particle characterization) were discovered for future research and future testing on this issue.
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Papers by Frederick Bloetscher