September 17, 2008
Causes and Control of Tastes and Odors in Drinking Water Supplies
Dr. Robert Hoehn

Course Description:
This presentation will cover the major causes of tastes and odors (T&O) in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, groundwater, and water-distribution systems. Biological causes to be discussed will include a review of the major T&O algae and actinomycetes. Toxin-producing blue-green algae associated with T&O will be discussed briefly. Taste-and-odor control options in source waters will focus on algae control, aeration, artificial circulation, and others. The causes and treatment of T&O odors in groundwater will be discussed as a separate subject. Other topics to be covered include: the effectiveness of commonly used oxidants for eliminating T&O and potential problems associated with their use, reduction in T&O complaints when chloramines are used in the distribution system, uses of activated carbon for eliminating T&O problems, and, finally, T&O problems in distribution systems.

Biographical Sketch:
Dr. Robert Hoehn, Emeritus Professor, taught 27 years at Virginia Tech in the Charles E. Via Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. His expertise is primarily in the area of water quality issues and drinking water treatment for taste-and-odor control. The American Water Works Association recognized his contributions to the drinking water field in this and other areas by awarding the A.P. Black Research Award, the Abel Wolman Award of Excellence, Honorary Membership Award, and Life Member status, and the Virginia Section of AWWA awarded him the Fuller Award for service to the Section. In addition to these awards, the University of Missouri Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering awarded him their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002. During his career, Dr. Hoehn served as major professor for more than 120 students who received Masters and Ph.D. degrees. He has either written or co-authored more than 100 technical publications, many of them dealing with drinking water taste-and-odor issues. During his career, he served on numerous professional committees at both the local and national level, including AWWA's Taste-and-Odor Committee and served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for both the AWWA Water Quality Division and the Virginia Section AWWA. At present, he consults for Black & Veatch on projects dealing with tastes and odors, lake water-quality management, and applications of chlorine dioxide for drinking water treatment.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, you may register on-line

October 15, 2008
Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies
Brian Blankenship

Course Description:
This workshop will discuss fluoridation of public drinking water supplies and the means and methods used in this process. After completing the workshop operators and administrators will be capable of evaluating the current fluoridation practices employed at their public water system and determining if changes need to be made to optimize the process. Those that are currently evaluating the benefits of fluoridation will be introduced to the process and will have information that will enable them to evaluate the best method for their specific application. To achieve these goals, we will discuss the type of fluoride compounds and equipment associated with fluoridation. Operational issues will be introduced to include calculation of fluoride feed rates, laboratory test procedures and safety. We will review the Commonwealth of Virginia Drinking Water Regulations as they pertain to fluoridation including sampling and operational classification of the systems. After reviewing these topics we will conclude by comparing fluoridation feed methods at public water supplies and selecting the type of equipment and compound that is best suited for a specific application based on the issues that we identified in the workshop.

Biographical Sketch:
Brian Blankenship , is a 1993 graduate of Virginia Tech where he received a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. Brian holds a professional engineers license in the State of Virginia and is employed by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water as the District Engineer for the New River Valley District. The duties he performs as District Engineer include regulatory compliance, monitoring, technical assistance activities and issuance of construction and operations permits for public water supply systems. Prior to his employment with the Office of Drinking Water, Brian worked for the Giles County Public Service Authority serving as the Executive Director. He has also served as the Public Works Director and Town Engineer for the Town of Pearisburg.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, you may register on-line

November 19, 2008
An Introspective Review of Water Sector Security: Where We've Been, Where We're At, and Where We're Headed
Mark Anderson

Course Description:
This workshop examines the paradigm shift in water sector security and how it has evolved over the last seven years to transition to an all hazards approach in emergency planning and mitigation activities. Lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina are offered from a business recovery and restoration perspective. What has worked and what needs improvement is assessed. Security tools and products available to the water sector are referenced along with some new ones, now in development, that will be introduced in the near term. Looming concerns, including the impact of climate change, outline future challenges for the water sector.

Biographical Sketch:
Mark C. Anderson , is the Technology Transfer Director for the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water. Mark has 24 years experience providing technical assistance to waterworks and wastewater works by training operators and managers. As part of that experience, he has presented security seminars for waterworks and wastewater operators, assisted waterworks with vulnerability assessments nad incident response protocols, and has conducted security audits. In 1994 he began coordinating disaster planning and mitigation for Virginia Department of Health's Office of Drinking Water. As a consultant, Mark has trained both waterworks and wastewater works operators on vulnerability assessments, security planning, and emergency response procedures at workshops across the nation. He has previously served on the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Infrastructure Protection Task Force and was a member of Virginia InfraGard Chapter. While serving in the military, Mark was responsible for operational and physical security, planning for response to civil disturbances, disasters, and the deployment of ready reaction forces. Mark obtained a B.S. in Civil Engineering from VMI and an M.S. in Sanitary Engineering from Georgia Tech.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, you may register on-line

The workshops will be broadcast simultaneously to:

Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER)
Eastern Shore Community College (ESCC)
Halifax/South Boston Continuing Education Center (HSBCEC)
Hampton Roads Graduate Center (HRGC)
James Madison University (JMU)
Marion DuPont Scott Medical Equine Center (MDPSMEC)
Northern Virginia Center (NVC)
Old Dominion University Peninsula Higher Education Center(ODUPHEC)
Richmond Higher Education Center (RiHEC)
Roanoke Higher Education Center (RoHEC)
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC)
University of Mary Washington (UMW)
University of Virginia (UVA)
Virginia Tech (VT)

Through the use of interactive technology you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific question of the presenters and participants around the Commonwealth. The workshops begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3:00 p.m.

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