Bakchan, Amal, Bakchan

Bakchan, Amal

Amal Bakchan was a speaker at the WEFTEC 2024 conference in New Orleans, LA October 5-9, 2024.

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About Bakchan, Amal

Amal Bakchan was a speaker at the WEFTEC 2024 conference in New Orleans, LA October 5-9, 2024.

Bakchan, Amal

Amal Bakchan was a speaker at the WEFTEC 2024 conference in New Orleans, LA October 5-9, 2024.

Titles from this speaker

Challenges to and Strategies for Regionalization of Responsible Management of Decentralized Wastewater Infrastructure in the Rural Alabama Black Belt

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Despite the perception that basic sanitation is available to all U.S. residents, recent research reveals persistent and widespread deficits in rural, underserved communities [1], [2]. In the rural, 17-county Black Belt region of Alabama, about 50% of households lack access to sewer, thus relying on individual onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). However, the soil conditions in the Black Belt-primarily shrink-swell vertisol clays-have resulted in numerous hydraulic failures in conventional OWTS (e.g., septic tank drainfield) [3] and, alternatively, the use of straight pipes by individual households for raw sewage discharge to backyards or nearby ground surfaces [4]. Such an acute sanitation condition and complex operating environment has spurred research efforts to explore alternative wastewater infrastructure strategies, treatment technologies, regulatory changes, and management models for addressing wastewater issues in the Black Belt [3], [6], [7]. Research Problem. Recent research efforts [3] have explored cost-effective OWTS applicable for this region and clusters (e.g., 90+ homes) suitable for connection to a decentralized wastewater treatment system. However, how to effectively manage these decentralized wastewater systems (DWS)-combinations of clustered and onsite-is still not well understood. According to US-EPA (2003), a responsible management entity (RME) is needed to provide proper operations and maintenance (O&M) services; with the RME being defined as a legal organization with the technical, managerial, and financial capacity to operate and maintain viable DWS within the RME's jurisdiction [8]. Recent studies focusing on the responsible management of DWS have provided intellectual contributions to understanding socio-technical barriers to the provision of O&M services by RMEs [6], as well as feasible scale options for successful RME operations in small, rural communities [9]. Findings reveal community stakeholder preferences towards a large-scale management approach, targeting systems in multiple counties to ensure economies of scale and address the limited customer base constraint [9]-referred hereafter to as regionalization. What is still lacking, though, is a comprehensive understanding of how to operationalize effective regionalization of responsible management, considering these communities' social and institutional dynamics while addressing their specific needs. As such, we need to understand challenges to regionalizing RMEs in rural communities and strategies for addressing these challenges. Bridging such a knowledge gap would identify whether any policy changes (e.g., service permitting) is proactively needed to enable successful operation of regional RMEs in the targeted rural communities. Operationally, uncovering strategies to achieving effective regionalization would guide existing management entities (water and sewer utilities, etc.) on how to effectively serve as RMEs to DWS across multiple counties. Research Objectives. The objective of this study is two-fold. First, the study identifies challenges that impede effective regionalization of responsible management of DWS in the Alabama Black Belt, based on stakeholders' perception. Second, the study explores strategies for addressing the identified challenges considering socio-political dynamics in these communities. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data Collection. We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with 20 stakeholders. The interviewees have experiences in utility management and in-depth understanding to the socio-technical constraints surrounding the operation of water-wastewater infrastructures in rural communities. Interviews were conducted from September 12th to March 21st, 2023, via teleconferencing or phone and were recorded (with permission), transcribed, and anonymized. Analysis Method. We applied inductive thematic analysis on the interview data [10] to identify emerging themes related to challenges and strategies for addressing these challenges. During this process, we remained open-minded to what the data suggested and engaged in assigning codes to excerpts relevant to challenges to regionalization and what strategies the interviewees think would be best for addressing these challenges. RESULTS AND PATH FORWARD Preliminary analysis of interview data reveals regionalization challenges across multiple dimensions-i.e., technical, social, financial, institutional/regulatory, and political dimensions. Examples of major emerged challenges include (1) difficulty to ensure timely responses to issues in times of extreme events when operating at a large scale (under the technical dimension); (2) trouble getting community buy-in (social); (3) possible inequitable billing mechanism across communities involved in regionalization (financial); (4) lack of enabling legal structure and legislation (institutional/regulatory), and (5) political resistance and power dynamics (political). IMPLICATIONS The study advances existing knowledge through (1) providing an empirical understanding to the challenges impeding effective regionalization of RMEs and (2) capturing key stakeholders' insights into strategies for addressing the identified challenges. The study also contributes to practice by setting the stage for highlighting policy changes to better support the operationalization of regional RMEs in the Black Belt (and other rural communities) moving forward.

Due to extreme (non-perc) soil conditions, half of the residents in the rural Alabama Black Belt lack access to adequate wastewater management. This study (1) identifies challenges that impede effective regionalization of responsible management of decentralized wastewater systems in the Black Belt; & (2) explores strategies for addressing these challenges considering socio-political dynamics in these communities.

SpeakerBakchan, Amal

Presentation time

14:00:00

14:30:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

SessionDecentralized Systems: Wastewater Management for Small Communities

Session number215

Session locationRoom 349

TopicIntermediate Level, Small/Rural Communities and Decentralized Systems, Utility Management and Leadership, Water Equity and ESG, Water Reuse and Reclamation

Author(s)

Bakchan, Amal, White, Kevin

Author(s)A. Bakchan1, K.D. White2

Author affiliation(s)1Texas A&M University, TX, 2University of South Alabama, AL

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2024

DOI10.2175/193864718825159673

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count20

Description: Scale of Responsible Management of Decentralized Clustered Wastewater Systems in...

Scale of Responsible Management of Decentralized Clustered Wastewater Systems in Rural Alabama's Black Belt: A Mixed-method Analysis

Abstract

Due to extreme (non-perc) soil conditions, the rural Alabama Black Belt region is characterized as a wastewater crisis. While ongoing research efforts are investigating new decentralized wastewater technologies in these communities, how to choose cost-effective technologies and manage these systems is not well understood. This study (1) examines the effectiveness of a hybrid evapotranspiration-lateral flow sand filter as a potential treatment solution, and (2) identifies the most feasible scale of responsible management for sustainable operations and maintenance. Two pilot-scale sand filter hybrids were built to test effluent disposal and treatment efficacy. A mixed-method analysis is performed on 117 survey responses from public and private management entities, coupled with eight semi-structured interviews. Results show the cost-effectiveness of the built treatment system, as well as participants’ preferences for countyand regional- management scales that consider communities’ capacity and needs. Our assessment highlights policy areas for addressing wastewater challenges in rural, underserved communities

Due to extreme (non-perc) soil conditions, the rural Alabama Black Belt region is characterized as a wastewater crisis. This study (1) examines the effectiveness of a hybrid evapotranspiration-lateral flow sand filter as a potential treatment solution; and (2) identifies the most feasible scale of responsible management using a mixed-method analysis. Results show the cost-effectiveness of the built treatment system, and participants' preferences for county- and regional- management scales.

SpeakerBakchan, Amal

Presentation time

14:00:00

14:20:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

SessionSmall Communities Utilize Decentralization Effectively

Session locationRoom S403a - Level 4

TopicIntermediate Level, Research and Innovation, Small Communities and Decentralized Systems, Water Reuse and Reclamation

Author(s)

Bakchan, Amal

Author(s)A. Bakchan 1; R. Chai 2 ; H. McCaskill 3; K. White 4; A. Bakchan 1;

Author affiliation(s)Civil, Coastal and Environmental Engineering, University of South Alabama 1; Civil, Coastal and Environmental Engineering, University of South Alabama 2 ; Civil, Coastal and Environmental Engineering, University of South Alabama 3; Civil, Coastal and Environmental Engineering, University of South Alabama, United States 4; Civil, Coastal and Environmental Engineering, University of South Alabama, United States 1;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825159103

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count18

Description: Socio-Technical Barriers To Successful Responsible Management Entities of...

Socio-Technical Barriers To Successful Responsible Management Entities of Decentralized Clustered Wastewater Systems in The Rural Alabama's Black Belt

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Over the past few decades, the Black Belt region of Alabama has been struggling from a lack of access to wastewater management (1â€“4). In addition to the region being characterized by low-population density, rural poverty, and lack of economic development, the geological conditions have further exacerbated the wastewater crisis in these underserved communities (1,4â€“6). The shrink-swell clays (vertisols), the most common surface soils, become practically impermeable when wet; this soil condition prevents infiltration of effluent and consequently causes hydraulic failure in conventional septic systems (e.g., septic tank drainfield) (4). In Bibb County, for instance, a field survey of 4,000 unsewered homes found that around 50% of which had raw sewage on the ground surface due to the hydraulic failure of their septic systems, as well as the use of 'straight pipes' for a direct raw sewage discharge (3). Such unacceptable sanitation conditions have drawn both national and international attention (2,6,7) and spurred research efforts to explore alternative wastewater treatment technologies that can address wastewater issues in the Black Belt's communities (4).
Research Problem
Given widespread poverty as well as low-population density leading to a limited number of rate payers (3), advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems are not financially feasible in this rural region. Ongoing research efforts (4,8) are instead investigating effluent sewer and treatment clusters (e.g., 20 â€“ 200 homes) suitable for connection to a potential decentralized wastewater system. While decentralized clustered wastewater systems are promising solutions to the ongoing wastewater challenges in the Black Belt communities, how to best manage these small systems is largely unknown. If improperly managed, decentralized systems do not provide the level of treatment necessary to adequately protect public health and water quality (9). Providing proper operation and maintenance (O&M) services to these systems is thus important to ensure their performance and reliability, as well as achieve their long-term sustainability (10). As such, establishing a responsible management entity (RME) that conducts the O&M can provide greater assurance of control over the performance of these decentralized systems (9â€“11). An RME is defined as a legal organization with the technical, managerial, and financial capacity to operate and maintain viable decentralized wastewater systems within the RME's jurisdiction (11). A single RME can handle multiple individual onsite systems and clustered systems-referred to as centralized management-and often seek to maximize the number of dwellings served to maintain its financial sustainability (11). Given that the Black Belt is mostly a rural region with small spread-out residential clusters (3), it may be more financially viable to assign an existing RME to manage the many proposed decentralized wastewater systems in this region. As a prerequisite to identifying adequate RMEs, though, we need to better understand possible socio-technical barriers-spanning the technical, financial, regulatory/institutional, social, and environmental dimensions-that may hinder RMEs' operations in the Black Belt communities. Uncovering such barriers would potentially allow for the generation of practical planning recommendations on how to best overcome these barriers, thereby enabling more successful RMEs' models.
Research Objectives
This study seeks to empirically understand socio-technical barriers that may be faced by potential RMEs of the Black Belt's decentralized wastewater systems. To do so, the objective of this study is two-fold. First, the study identifies major socio-technical barriers that may influence RMEs' willingness to manage decentralized systems by exploring literature related to decentralized wastewater management models. Second, the study 1) explores which of these identified barriers are the most critical for the case of Alabama's Black Belt; and, accordingly, 2) provides practical and policy recommendations that could best overcome these barriers.
MATERIAL AND METHODS Survey Questionnaire and Data Collection
A survey questionnaire was provided to various public and private rural management entities, including water utilities, sewer utilities, natural gas utilities, electric utilities, electric cooperatives, solid waste management, and community development corporations. The survey included questions about the participants' demographics and experience in their respective organizations, entity type and structure (e.g., public service provider, private agencies), type of service provided (e.g., water, sewer, electricity), and a set of major barriers to effective decentralized wastewater management spanning the technical, financial, regulatory/institutional, and social dimensions. Additionally, participants were asked to rate the importance of these barriers based on a 5-point Likert scale (very important, important, neutral, somewhat important, not important). Data collection is ongoing and expected to continue until February 2022.
Analysis Methods. Descriptive statistics and statistical inferencing are used to explore the ranking of the socio-technical barriers and determine the most critical barriers to the various RMEs.
RESULTS AND PATH FORWARD
To identify the various socio-technical barriers, we turned to literature related to decentralized wastewater management models (see Table 1). Preliminary results show that the financial and regulatory/institutional barriers are the most critical issues that the targeted RMEs' are concerned about. The 'not paying for O&M services' and 'difficulty to obtain funds' are highly rated by the respondents. Given the widespread poverty in the Black Belt, communities likely do not have the financial capacity to pay for the O&M services, which would impact the RME's long-term financial sustainability. As such, to further support the urgent need for decentralized wastewater management in rural, underserved communities, federal and state policy needs to address gaps in these systems' funding. For instance, more funds should be prioritized for the O&M of these systems, thereby enabling RMEs to ensure continuous system operations and reliability. Respondents also indicate the 'inflexible regulatory codes' as another highly rated challenge for managing the proposed small, decentralized clustered wastewater systems in the Black Belt. Surface discharge of treated effluent from onsite wastewater treatment system is still not permitted under current Alabama's regulations. Notably, efforts are ongoing to update such regulations in regard to surface discharge (8). In spite of these efforts, respondents may be concerned about RMEs' ability to obtain operating permits for these non-conventional decentralized systems, especially that the approval of new systems and regulations often involves a lengthy process (12). Alabama's regulators are, therefore, encouraged to expedite the new regulations regarding surface discharge of treated effluent. These considerations would facilitate the attainment of the required permits and enable the RMEs to provide adequate O&M services for the Black Belt's communities.
IMPLICATIONS
The study advances existing knowledge through providing an empirical understanding to socio-technical barriers that may inhibit RMEs from effectively managing the Black Belt's alternative wastewater treatment solutions-existing limitation in literature. Building off of this understanding, the study also contributes to practice by providing practical and policy recommendations that could best overcome the identified barriers. Accordingly, RMEs would be better enabled to provide adequate O&M services and consequently contribute to addressing the wastewater challenges in these underserved communities.

Due to extreme soil conditions, the rural Alabama's Black Belt is characterized as a wastewater crisis. This study assesses impacts of socio-technical barriers on entities' consideration to operate and maintain decentralized wastewater systems in these communities. A survey is deployed to various public and private entities across 16 states in the US. Regression results indicate the financial and regulatory barriers as the most influential, highlighting policy areas for addressing such barriers.

SpeakerBakchan, Amal

Presentation time

16:00:00

16:25:00

Session time

15:30:00

17:00:00

TopicFundamental Level, Small Communities and Decentralized Systems, Utility Management and Leadership

Author(s)

Bakchan, Amal

Author(s)Amal Bakchan1; Kevin White2

Author affiliation(s)Civil, Coastal and Environmental Engineering, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL1; Civil, Coastal and Environmental Engineering, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL2

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2022

DOI10.2175/193864718825158702

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count19

Base text size -

Bakchan, Amal

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