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The unprecedented global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 virus causing the COVID-19 disease prompted the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to conduct a critical review of pathways of potential exposure to this virus associated with the collection and treatment of wastewater. In April 2020, WEF convened a panel of academics and practitioners expert in the science and practice of wastewater collection and treatment to conduct this critical review.

Protecting Wastewater Professionals From Covid-19 and Other Biological Hazards features a host of information critical for safeguarding water professionals from viruses, bacteria, and other biological safety hazards. The first chapter features updates to WEF's Manual of Practice No. 1, Safety, Health, and Security in Wastewater Systems. These updates concern protecting health and safety workers from biological hazard exposures associated with wastewater, including viruses like SARS-CoV-2. Then, a review of worker health and safety best practice guidelines culminates in recommendations regarding exposure to biological hazards associated with wastewater. Examples of a Job Safety Analysis (JSA), a key component to these recommendations, are found in the publication's appendix. Finally, a review of current, relevant peer-reviewed literature identifies and reports on gaps in the knowledge base specific to exposure to biological hazards associated with wastewater. Further research is needed to further inform best practices for the wastewater sector.

Polymers are excellent flocculants and are critical for use as a solids conditioner prior to thickening and dewatering equipment. Applying polymer prior to a thickening or dewatering process, or “conditioning”, is often a requirement for the thickening or dewatering equipment to successfully operate. This operator fact sheet takes readers through the basics of polymers used in thickening and dewatering processes. You will learn about different types of polymer products, how to calculate polymer dose, appropriate handling and storage of polymer products, and equipment and processes relating to make-down and activation. This information can help operators make informed decisions to save money on polymer use in water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs).

Since the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, health and safety has been an upfront management tool spoken in the same context as productivity, quality, and cost. The fire showed that fatalities and injuries, if prevented, have a direct effect on the bottom line and the workforce.

This Manual of Practice will serve as an injury-reduction tool to all those working in the wastewater field. There are guidelines for creating written programs and procedures as well as guidelines that describe how to perform a confined space entry, lockout/tagout, and chemical deliveries. From the laboratory to sewer system collection applications, this manual has recommendations that could help you reduce injuries and mishaps to ensure the ultimate safety of employees.

WEFTEC, the largest event of its kind in North America, offers water quality professionals the best in water quality education and training. With almost 200 technical sessions, workshops, mobile sessions, local facility tours and 1,000+ exhibitors, it is the premier water conference! The WEFTEC technical program is selected through a rigorous, peer-review process, ensuring that attendees experience the highest-quality education. WEFTEC speakers are experts and innovators, leading the way in water quality. The following paper was presented at WEFTEC 2019.

This report outlines the 2016 Knowledge Development Forum discussions on intelligent water systems, and serves as the basis for expanding the vision for intelligent water systems. The hope is that through continuing the conversation, we will be able to separate fact from fiction regarding the implementation of intelligent water solutions and practices and moving towards implementing intelligent water systems in the industry.

For workers in the water sector, inherent workplace conditions expose them to daily potential for serious injury. Working in the confined spaces under city streets often comes with awkward postures, incessant vibrations, extreme temperatures, and hazardous gases that can injure. For workers dealing with chemicals or risking exposure to known viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasites, the risks become even more complicated. Physical inspection of tanks, pipes, and reservoirs — regardless of provided safety precautions — often require workers to step into environments that carry these risks as well as potential for catastrophic physical traumas.As a result, safety is a necessity. While strict adherence to departmental safety protocols and the proper deployment of personal protective equipment can reduce injuries, the only way to truly eliminate these types of injuries is to keep workers from entering those dangerous environments in the first place.However, such a simple proposition, proves more difficult in real-world application. How does a utility actually inspect and repair small-diameter pipes, investigate sediment buildup in holding tanks, or evaluate a collapsed pipe or sewer tunnel without deploying personnel into that very dangerous situation?Historically, these projects often called for entire system segments to be taken off-line, tanks to be drained, or heavy equipment to dig up entire city blocks. Now, the burgeoning drone industry is bringing numerous purpose-built solutions to the aid of water and wastewater agencies looking for safer, more efficient, and more affordable options.

Emergency Planning, Response, and Recovery will help your utility develop an emergency response plan to recover from events such as infrastructure failure, small- and large-scale natural disasters, and human-created incidents. Includes case studies from around the world.

The prime objective of this work was to identify the major sources of internal heat generation and locations within the water recovery facility that provide the most potential for heat dispersion to the atmosphere. A facility-wide thermal energy model applied to each unit process was developed, calibrated and validated at two water recovery facilities....