PennTec 2021: Annual Technical Conference
In the wake of COVID-19 response, now is the time to explore best practices and review what we’ve learned in the wastewater industry. The session will explore potential exposures and how we manage the impact.
Ralph E. Johnson, PE, Vice President Environmental Services presents: COVID and Sanitary Sewers
In the wake of COVID-19 response, now is the time to explore best practices and review what we’ve learned in the wastewater industry. The session will explore potential exposures and how we manage the impact.
Emergency Response Plan Updates, Critical Pandemic Preparedness Plan elements, Exit and re-entry planning - critical positions, maintaining the facility. Protecting the Operators: What needs to change? What if they get sick?
What we’ll discuss
Collection of expert’s best thinking on the topic.
Resource document to help you navigate your decisions
Best Practices in our field.
During this session we’ll explore the historical impact of waterborne diseases and wastewater and the scientific studies being conducted currently to not only detect COVID-19 in wastewater but to possibly use its presence to track and predict potential outbreak locations. We will explore potential wastewater exposure sources and steps to take for protection including engineering controls, administrative controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment.
Key points of discussion
The scientifically documented history of disease in sewage contaminated water dates back to 1854 in England
In the United States both state and local governments have primary authority for maintaining the quality and safety of recreational waters (both freshwater and marine).
The United States is one of a few countries to have a national surveillance system for waterborne disease outbreaks.
Source of contamination can be of fecal or nonfecal origin.
No single indicator organism or small set of indicators can successfully identify or predict the presence of all threats.
Since there are still unknowns about COVID-19 being assessed we need to assure we’re using best practice available to us at this time.
Protective practices include Engineering and Administrative Controls, Safe Work Practices and Personal Protective Equipment.
There are steps we can take now to manage the future, and there are resources we can reference to stay up to date with the latest information.
In addition to understanding the impact of waterborne diseases we’ll discuss the necessary updates to Emergency Response Plans and staffing plans to facilitate smooth crisis management should a key member of the team become sick. The program will include focus on key items, initiatives, and programming to have in place in advance.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Ralph E. Johnson, PE | Vice President, Environmental Engineering | Mr. Johnson is the director of the water and wastewater engineering and operations services, including all aspects of water and wastewater engineering, municipal and authority representation, water and wastewater treatment operations, treatment plant design, construction phase engineering, water resources and regulatory compliance assistance. Previously with the City of Reading as the Public Works Director and City Engineer, Mr. Johnson brings more than 35 years of experience in the industry which includes Consent Decree Compliance, Dam Safety Issues, MS4 regulatory compliance, emergency response planning, capital improvement project planning and implementation, grant writing, bridge inspection and maintenance, and wastewater plant upgrades and construction.
C-PACE Financing Tool: What makes a good energy audit?
Paul Spiegel, Practical Energy Solutions,- A Division of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy talked about what makes a good energy survey
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Paul Spiegel, PE, LEED AP
Director Energy and Sustainability Services
Practical Energy Solutions
a division of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy
paul.spiegel@ssmgroup.com
The Philadelphia Energy Authority provided an update on programs relevant to GPAEE members with a focus on C-PACE, a financing tool now available in Pennsylvania, for clean energy projects. Maryrose Myrtetus, PEA Program Manager will discuss how C-PACE works and why it matters to energy engineers and consultants. She will be joined by Paul Spiegel, Practical Energy Solutions,- A Division of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy talked about what makes a good energy survey which is required for C-PACE financing and Liz McCormick, Director of Business Development, Energy Division, Pennoni, will discuss how to integrate C-PACE into your business development.
Sierra Club: Efficiency First
Sierra Club: Efficiency First
What is an energy focus and why is it important? A focus on where to start including energy benchmarking, energy audits and evaluations, energy management, strategic planning, and evaluating your progress.
presented by Paul Spiegel, PE, LEED AP
Director Energy and Sustainability Services
paul.spiegel@ssmgroup.com
Berks County Water & Sewer Association: Do you have your Assets in the Cloud?
Berks County Water & Sewer Association Virtual Conference: Do you have your Assets in the Cloud
Are your organization’s asset formatted in a secure method so you are prepared to react to new work place requirements as a result of an emergency? Has your infrastructure been planned and designed to modify how work was performed when your staff can no longer work from traditional brick and mortar offices? SSM will share how their advanced planning paid off for them and share ideas for your implementation. What are the Issues with planning and implementing Capital Construction projects as a pandemic hit? Do you postpone, cancel or just charge ahead?
presented by Al Guiseppe, PG
Director Water Resources
al.guiseppe@ssmgroup.com
Berks County Water & Sewer Association: Covid and Sanitary Sewers
We know now that COVID-19 does not survive in public water but it thrives in waste water. What are the exposures and what can you do to manage these pandemic and future ones.
Berks County Water & Sewer Association Virtual Conference: Covid and Sanitary Sewers
We know now that COVID-19 does not survive in public water but it thrives in wastewater. What are the exposures and what can you do to manage these pandemic and future ones.
presented by Ralph Johnson, PE,
Vice President Environmental Engineering
ralph.johnson@ssmgroup.com
Berks County Water & Sewer Association: Case Study of Construction during COVID-19
Case Study of Construction during COVID-19: The challenges and solutions of the City of Reading wastewater treatment plant project and the WBWA raw water line project.
Berks County Water & Sewer Association Virtual Conference: Case Study of Construction during COVID-19
Case Study of Construction during COVID-19: The challenges and solutions of the City of Reading wastewater treatment plant project and the WBWA raw water line project.
presented by Ralph Johnson, PE
Vice President Environmental Engineering
ralph.john@ssmgroup.com

Berks County Water & Sewer Association: Crisis Management Toolbox
Emergency Response Plan Updates, Critical Pandemic Preparedness Plan elements, Exit and re-entry planning - critical positions, maintaining the facility, Protecting the Operators: What needs to change? What if they get sick?
Berks County Water & Sewer Association Virtual Conference: Crisis Management Toolbox
Emergency Response Plan Updates, Critical Pandemic Preparedness Plan elements, Exit and re-entry planning - critical positions, maintaining the facility, Protecting the Operators: What needs to change? What if they get sick?
presented by Ralph Johnson, PE, Vice President Environmental Engineering
ralph.johnson@ssmgroup.com
Berks County Water & Sewer Association: Legislative and Regulation Update
EPA and DEP Legislative and Regulatory Update
Berks County Water & Sewer Association Virtual Conference: Legislative and Regulation Update
EPA and DEP Legislative and Regulatory Update
presented by Serena DiMagno
Senior Environmental Consultant
serena.dimagno@ssmgroup.com
Fall Joint Conference: Legislative and Regulatory Update
PA Section AWWA Southcentral & Northcentral District and WWOAP Central Section
Legislative and Regulatory Update
Presented by Serena DiMagno, Sr. Environmental Consultant
serena.dimagno@ssmgroup.com
Fall Joint Conference: Data Capture Technology for Water/Wastewater Facility Management
Data Capture technology is quickly becoming a way for water and wastewater treatment plants to efficiently collect information, analyze the results, and optimize performance.
PA Section AWWA Southcentral & Northcentral District and WWOAP Central Section
Data Capture Technology for Water/Wastewater Facility Management
Data Capture technology is quickly becoming a way for water and wastewater treatment plants to efficiently collect information, analyze the results, and optimize performance. There are several methods of capturing this information, eliminating complacency, and documenting equipment and project status in water and wastewater operations. This presentation describes Data Capture projects for Water and Wastewater systems, including ways to look at and manage data, what can be done with the data collected, and visual examples of various projects using drones, 3-D Models, and GIS.
Presented by Steve Smith, Sr. Project Manager, Survey and Data Capture
steve.smith@ssmgroup.com
Mr. Smith has over 30 years of experience in the surveying field and has been responsible for all aspects of Boundary and Topographical surveying, Aerial Mapping, Utility and Route surveys, ALTA/ASCM survey and all phases of construction stakeout. His technical skills include robotic instrumentation, High Definition Scanning, UAS Drone Flight operations, AUTOCAD and Microsoft operating systems.
2019 BCWSA Data Capture Technology for Water/Wastewater Facility Management
Data Capture technology is quickly becoming a way for water and wastewater treatment plants to efficiently collect information, analyze the results, and optimize performance.
Data Capture Technology for Water/Wastewater Facility Management
Data Capture technology is quickly becoming a way for water and wastewater treatment plants to efficiently collect information, analyze the results, and optimize performance. There are several methods of capturing this information, eliminating complacency, and documenting equipment and project status in water and wastewater operations. This course provides an overview of merits and concerns with using new technology for various projects typical with water and wastewater treatment systems. Section 1 reviews legal and regulatory Issues related to Data Capture and Data Use, such as current FAA rules for drone operators, possible nuisance and trespass concerns when investigating problems, and privacy considerations and rights for utilities without easements. Section 2 describes Data Capture projects for Water and Wastewater systems, including ways to look at and manage data, what can be done with the data collected, and visual examples of various projects using drones, 3-D Models, and GIS.
Presented by Steve Smith, Sr. Project Manager, Survey and Data Capture
steve.smith@ssmgroup.com
2019 PennTec Annual Conference
Outfall Field Screening Report & Data management through ArcGIS Online
GIS Tools for MS4 Compliance Reporting
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)
Outfall Field Screening Report
Data management through ArcGIS Online
Field data collection through mobile apps
Report generation through Microsoft mail-merge tools
Record keeping through GIS-based infrastructure asset management program
Presented by Alfred C. Guiseppe, PG, Director, Water Resources
al.guiseppe@ssmgroup.com
2019 PA GIS Conference - GIS Tools for MS4 Compliance Reporting
GIS Tools for MS4 Compliance Reporting
GIS Tools for MS4 Compliance Reporting
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)
Outfall Field Screening Report
Data management through ArcGIS Online
Field data collection through mobile apps
Report generation through Microsoft mail-merge tools
Record keeping through GIS-based infrastructure asset management program
Presented by Alfred C. Guiseppe, PG, Director, Water Resources
al.guiseppe@ssmgroup.com
New Technologies in the Source Water Protection Program
Exploring new technologies in Source Water Protection
Al Guiseppe, PG, Director Water Resources at Spotts, Stevens and McCoy presented at the 2019 Pennsylvania Groundwater Association Annual Winter Conference on January 25, 2019 at the Holiday Inn, Grantville/Hershey, PA. His presentation presented an overview of the Source Water Protection Technical Assistance Program and new technologies including online data, mobile GIS applications, and operations dashboards.
Berks County Water and Sewer Association - Plant Tour
Legislative and Regulatory Update - May 2018
Serena DiMagno | Sr. Environmental Consultant presented a Legislative and Regulatory update at the recent Berks County Water and Sewer Association's Plant Tour at the Reading Area Water Authority Water Treatment Plant.
