With many people working during the pandemic, a North County group gathered to thank farmworkers by having a “Caravan of Appreciation.”
Those who joined in the car parade want to remind people farmworkers are still out in the fields maintaining the region’s food supply during COVID-19.
“We want to bring light to the importance of their labor and the essential nature of their labor,” said Maria Figueroa, a volunteer with FarmWorker CARE Coalition.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2020-04-27 10:15:352020-04-30 11:06:50Dozens Show Up to Thank San Diego Farmworkers With a ‘Caravan of Appreciation’
Supervising Chemist Ralph Ginese nominated Jenkins for the award, calling her “an incredible asset” during her seven years working at the lab. “The lab technically could not function without Oyuna,” wrote Ginese.
“This is really teamwork,” said Oyuna Jenkins of her recognition. “I have to give credit to everyone in the lab. We work really hard. Whoever you call a hero, there are always people behind them.
“It’s all about public health. I feel like it’s making a difference, providing accurate information to the public as possible. It’s all coordination between distribution, collection, public works, and everyone involved.”
Escondido lab helps ensure safe, reliable water supply
Jenkins plays a key role in the lab’s safety processes, which ensures a safe, reliable water supply for City of Escondido customers. She runs metal analyses on drinking water, industrial waste, and every step of the wastewater treatment process. Jenkins also peforms required monthly and quarterly testing and cross-trains colleagues on testing procedures. In addition, she is the laboratory’s liaison to contract labs.
“She’s very analytical,” said Ginese. “She’s someone we can go to, brainstorm, and work together. She is not afraid when people question her data. She is secure in what she does.”
Escondido lab plays leadership role in advanced water quality testing
Oyuna Jenkins (fifth from left) and the 14 person Escondido Water Quality Lab team, one of only two certified labs in California under new water quality standards. Photo: City of Escondido
From Mongolia to Escondido
A native of Mongolia, Oyuna Jenkins earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, which is among the top 15% of all programs worldwide. She immigrated to the United States in 1998. Jenkins continues to pursue advanced training. She first obtained CWEA certification in 2012 and completed the Water and Wastewater Certification program at Palomar College in 2016.
“Oyuna has worked tremendously hard to be where she is at today,” wrote Ginese in his award nomination. “She is grateful for the opportunity this country gives her and she shares that gratitude with those around her … She is what every supervisor/manager is looking for in a Laboratory Person of the Year Award.”
Escondido Water Quality Lab leads the way
Jenkins helped develop strategies to implement new techniques and processes supporting the implementation of strict new accreditation standards for California’s 600 certified water quality testing labs.
As reported earlier this year on Water News Network, the City of Escondido Water Quality Lab successfully adopted the anticipated regulations in advance of their formal implementation. Jenkins reviewed and wrote many of the lab’s new Standard Operating Procedures now being used. She also assisted in developing the facility’s annual goals, along with its new mission and value statements.
The ambitious approach to Environmental Lab Accreditation Program compliance under the more stringent quality control processes places Escondido in a leadership role as one of only two California labs already compliant with the new regulations.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Escondido-Lab-Oyuna_2334-845X450.jpg450845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngGayle Falkenthal2020-04-24 16:08:462020-04-24 16:38:27Escondido Employee Named California Laboratory Person of the Year
On March 20, the California Water Boards issued guidance about complying with regulatory requirements during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. We summarized that guidance here.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Kimberlyn Velasquezhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngKimberlyn Velasquez2020-04-24 10:18:352020-04-28 09:44:37In First Month of COVID-19 Guidance, the California Regional Water Quality Control Boards Have Issued Hundreds of Approvals for Compliance Extensions Submitted by Regulated Entities
Across the country, public agencies are scrambling to fill holes created by the pandemic – financial holes and, worse yet, holes in the workforce. It is safe to assume, until a vaccine is developed or an antibody treatment is found, we are living the new normal.
As we hope and pray that the worst days of the coronavirus are behind us, I am so thankful that the Water Authority took aggressive early action to protect employees and that we have had no COVID-related illnesses. I’m also grateful to report that our region’s water treatment and delivery systems are in good shape, and that they continue to provide clean, safe drinking water 24/7 due to the efforts of a few thousand employees of the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies. These dedicated public servants are doing their jobs day and night, despite numerous personal and logistical challenges.
That said, our region’s water agencies are collectively facing serious declines in revenues; businesses are not using water as expected, which means water sales have plummeted. Unlike some other industries, most of our costs are fixed. In fact, the Water Authority’s operating departments only account for about 6 percent of the budget.
This means that even when water sales drop, we still must pay the “mortgage” on the system – from pumps to pipes to filtration and whatever other costs we cannot control, such as increases from our water suppliers or higher costs for energy and treatment chemicals. For instance, we expect the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to raise rates in San Diego County by more than 7 percent in 2021 despite our pleas for relief on your behalf.
Details about the financial impact of coronavirus will take weeks or months to emerge, but the Water Authority is already taking proactive steps to address anticipated challenges, from instituting a hiring freeze to assessing which non-essential projects and expenses can be deferred. I assure you that we are working every day to sustain our core mission to maintain the many values that we provide our region and make smart choices to ensure our long-term viability.
It is not an easy task, but we have 75 years of history that say we can do this together – and I know we will.
On a hopeful note, the region’s water agencies have joined forces to raise thousands of dollars for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank through voluntary donations by board members and employees. We’re always looking for opportunities to raise more money given the ongoing significance of the need. Click here to donate – and do not forget to share the link with family, friends and others who may want to participate. Every dollar helps feed those in need.
View From The Chair represents the viewpoints of Jim Madaffer, Chair of the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors.
Sanitation experts have determined that existing treatment plant disinfection processes successfully disinfect wastewater containing the COVID-19 virus.
Municipal wastewater treatment plants in California go beyond minimum requirements and provide additional tertiary filtration treatment to meet stringent State Water Board public health standards for water disposal or water recycling whenever there is a risk to the public.
The State and Regional Water Boards establish and enforce stringent municipal wastewater treatment and water recycling standards in order to protect drinking water sources including surface and ground water bodies. Wastewater treatment is an essential function, and this work continues during the COVID-19 emergency.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2020-04-23 10:50:482020-04-24 10:54:04State Water Board Declares Treated Wastewater, Reuse Water Safe from Coronavirus
Seventeen above ground steel tanks and two underground concrete reservoirs play a vital role in the Vallecitos Water District’s mission to provide clean, safe, and reliable water to its 105,000 district residents. Maintenance and cleaning of the tanks and reservoirs is a critically important process.
Without regular washouts, tanks can accumulate large amounts of sediment, prohibiting proper inspections.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2020-04-23 10:15:352020-04-30 09:09:42Tank Cleaning Program Helps Vallecitos Water District Maintain Safe Water Supply
Two bipartisan draft water infrastructure bills unveiled this week by the Senate environment committee are a good start but will need even more funding in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, water agencies and other groups said Wednesday.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Kimberlyn Velasquezhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngKimberlyn Velasquez2020-04-23 10:12:292020-04-28 09:44:55Senate Water Bills Need More Funding Due to Pandemic: Witnesses
Among the many disruptions to working life wrought by the spread of coronavirus has been the outsized pressure put on the world’s essential services. For those ensuring that Americans continue to enjoy clean water in their homes, that has meant living at their places of work.
Across the country, drinking water utility workers have been sleeping at treatment facilities to minimize their exposure to COVID-19 and maintain services as many other Americans self-isolate in their homes.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2020-04-23 10:11:042020-04-28 11:07:26During Crisis, Water Treatment Workers Living at Plants
Utilities responding to the challenges of COVID-19 have adapted practices developed for past emergency situations, but physical distancing requirements of the pandemic response in some instances have forced entirely new ways of approaching safety measures.
Consolidated Edison has been utilizing two sets of command and support staff in separate locations, as more than 350 of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and eight have died. In the future, more will be done in advance to determine which employees are essential and to ensure remote-work capabilities, according to Anthony Natale, a member of ConEd’s emergency preparedness team.
For municipal utilities, grid operations have become tightly enmeshed with other critical services like police, fire and health providers, according to Lincoln Bleveans, assistant general manager for power supply at Burbank Water & Power.
Seventeen above ground steel tanks and two underground concrete reservoirs play a vital role in the Vallecitos Water District’s mission to provide clean, safe, and reliable water to its 105,000 district residents. Maintenance and cleaning of the tanks and reservoirs is a critically important process.
Without regular washouts, tanks can accumulate large amounts of sediment, prohibiting proper inspections.
California State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water standards require that tanks must be cleaned every three years.
Vallecitos Water Operations’ team cleans up to six tanks annually. Regulations call for the district’s six certified water operators to empty and enter the tanks for inspection to ensure there is no structural damage or other concerns prior to the tank washout to ensure continued operation of the water distribution system. Vallecitos adheres to a strict inspection schedule as part of its preventative maintenance program.
“We want customers to know we’re being diligent protecting the water infrastructure,” said Richie Arballo, senior water systems operator. “If we find an issue where a tank needs to be refurbished, we want to correct it as soon as possible, before it becomes an emergency.”
Coordinating tank cleaning a complex operation
The drained interior of a Vallecitos Water District tank during the cleaning and inspection process. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Vallecitos staff schedules tank cleaning during winter months when water demand decreases. Initial steps include how to best reroute water delivery while tanks are taken out of service for cleaning. After the tank is drained, water operations staff enter the tank for a thorough inspection, followed by cleaning and disinfection.
When the process is complete, staff refills the tank near its spill level and allows the water to stand for 24 hours before conducting water quality analysis. Once lab results are reported and submitted to the state’s Division of Drinking Water, it will determine when the tank can be placed back in service.
Tank cleaning began in March but was put on hold due recent rains and the coronavirus pandemic, with the the need for physical distancing. See the cleaning process depicted in this video.
Safety and environmental stewardship
During draining, water is discharged to a storm drain or dirt area where it is absorbed back into the ground naturally. Once the tank is removed from service, it is isolated from the water distribution system. Valves are secured and double-checked to be sure they are completely closed. Staff members wear respiratory protection due to chemicals used during the disinfection of the tank interior.
Cleaning and disinfecting the large reservoirs requires teamwork. The Water Operations team calls on staff from the Vallecitos Water District Collections and Construction departments to augment and support its personnel.
Vallecitos Water District employee Joey Shore cleans of the district’s 17 steel tanks. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
“When we all work together it really shows how much of a team we are here at the District,” said Shawn Askine, water systems supervisor. “We are very fortunate at Vallecitos to have employees willing to come out and help us clean the tanks properly and effectively, so we are utilizing customer dollars as efficiently as possible.”
Due to the amount of equipment and coordination required, the Vallecitos Water District created a customized trailer specifically for conducting tank cleaning. The small investment allows all required equipment to be stored on the trailer, ready to go on the day of the scheduled cleaning. The trailer and equipment significantly streamline the process and ensures all parts, fittings, and washout equipment are available to get the job done effectively.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/VWD-Tank-Cleaning-Wall-Worker-845X450.jpg450845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngGayle Falkenthal2020-04-22 14:40:452020-04-22 14:58:33Tank Cleaning Program Helps Vallecitos Water District Maintain Safe Water Supply
