Utility Committee Agenda and Packet 2020 05 12

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The water treatment team also added a second SolarBee solar-powered mixer (Medora Corporation - SolarBee / GridBee) to the reservoir to help control algae. They installed an automated water-quality profiler (YSI, a Xylem brand) to provide real-time data on the entire water column. The pro- filer takes readings at preset depths and includes a probe that measures pH, conductivity, temperature and other parameters. But instruments can only go so far in measuring subjective qualities such as taste and odor. Venette enlisted the city’s Human Resources Department to help him ask some employees who live in the city to become early-warn- ing taste and odor monitors. They, in turn, enlisted some of their neighbors. Now the team has both hard data and sensitive human palates support- ing efforts to deliver good-tasting water. “We’ve gone two years without any taste and odor complaints caused by algae,” Venette reports. COLLABORATIVE UPGRADE In improving its water treatment, Louisville recently completed its first design-build utility project using local engineering and construction firms. The project included both the north and south plants. Cory Peterson, city engineer, directed the effort, which involved replacing existing infrastruc- ture, upgrading equipment and appearances, constructing new systems and resolving nagging issues that are part of any 30-plus-year-old plant. A small EMBRACING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Businesses and government units like to say they go beyond complying with environmental laws and regulations. Yet few yardsticks are available that measure what that really means. However, Colorado has developed an environmental compli- ance measurement. It’s a structured approach to improvement called the Environmental Leadership Program (www.colorado. gov/pacific/cdphe/environmental-leadership-program). The ELP defines what “beyond compliance” means and provides measurable standards by which organizations that voluntarily exceed compliance with state and federal environ- mental regulations can operate and be recognized. The ELP has three levels: bronze, silver and gold. It offers benefits and incentives to member organizations that exceed requirements. Greg Venette, chief water plant operator in Louisville, discovered the ELP last year while looking for recogni- tion for his staff’s efforts to excel. He signed up and got started. The ELP sees a quest for continuous improvement as a part of an organization’s new culture. Venette says that’s the culture his staff members embraced when they began using data to drive decisions. In Louisville’s first year as an ELP member, the team achieved the bronze level. Now they have their eyes on the gold. The Louisville water treatment plant team includes, from left, Jeff Owens and David Cole, operators; Jocelyn Brink, NEED TITLE; Greg Venette, chief water plant operator; Nick Owens, NEED TITLE; Edmond Song, NEED TITLE; and Steven Daniels, operator. Not pictured: Matt Formandy, NEED TITLE; Thoa Pham, NEED TITLE; Glen Sidenberg, operator; and Terrell Phillips, superintendent. Prerelease Version – NOT FOR REPRODUCTION 34