AC26 Collections Reliability Track Bundle

CWEA Member: $85.00
Non-Member: $110.00

3.0 contact hours towards CWEA's CSM, certifications.
This series includes the following 50 minute sessions. 

Session 1: Protecting Infrastructure and Reuse Reliability: Integrated Adaptive Plan for Odor, Corrosion, and UVT

The City of Modesto operates a 20 MGD two-plant treatment system, with primary treatment at the Sutter Plant and secondary/tertiary treatment at the Jennings Plant. In recent years, the City has faced escalating odor complaints near Sutter, severe hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)-driven corrosion at Jennings, and seasonal ultraviolet transmittance (UVT) drops that jeopardize recycled water compliance. This study integrated field investigations, bench testing, and technology evaluations to develop an adaptive, tiered plan addressing all three challenges concurrently.

Comprehensive monitoring in four major trunk sewers and both plants quantified sulfide mass loads, confirmed two major trunks as dominant contributors (>80% of load to Sutter), and documented extreme H₂S levels at Jennings—averaging over 100 ppm and peaking above 700 ppm at fine screens. UVT declines were found to coincide with seasonal blending of high-BOD, low-pH cannery wastewater with domestic flows, introducing lignins, tannins, and potentially UV-absorbing artificial sweeteners. LC-MS confirmed the presence of five sweeteners in UV influent, though their individual impacts remain to be quantified.
A broad suite of odor/corrosion control options was screened against technical, operational, cost, and UVT-risk criteria. Chemicals with potential toxic by-products or proven UVT impairment were eliminated. Life-cycle analysis showed pure oxygen injection to be 3–6x less costly than chemical dosing for major trunk applications, with nanobubble oxygenation offering potential dual benefits for odor suppression and UVT improvement.

Bench-scale ECO₂ oxygenation tests validated rapid, complete dissolved sulfide removal within 30 minutes and confirmed low oxygen uptake rates, supporting conservative system sizing. The recommended adaptive plan applies a tiered approach: (1) immediate oxygen injection installation at Woodland and Thousand Oaks lift stations; (2) Sutter biofilter optimization, and nanobubble pilot testing; (3) targeted force main treatment via nanobubbles, oxygen injection, or nitrate dosing; and (4) end-of-line H₂S capture at Jennings via biotrickling filters.

Parallel UVT mitigation tiers included reverse blending to isolate cannery flows, nanobubble piloting, targeted compound source characterization, and long-term industrial source control via pretreatment or sewer-use by-laws. This integrated, data-driven strategy enables Modesto to phase investments, respond adaptively to performance data, and meet both odor/corrosion and recycled water reliability goals within operational and financial constraints.

Learning Objectives:
After the presentation, participants will be able to diagnose odor, corrosion, and UVT challenges using field data and source identification techniques
After the presentation, participants will be able to compare the cost, performance, and UVT impacts of chemical, oxygen, and nanobubble treatment strategies
After the presentation, participants will be able to apply a tiered, integrated and adaptive planning framework to phase solutions that protect infrastructure and protect recycled water reliability"

Session 2: From Failing Septic Systems to Sustainable Futures: Sewer Solutions for Disadvantaged Communities in Sacramento County

A new tool is available for concrete cylinder force main condition assessment: electromagnetic (EM) thickness testing. This tool does not require destructive methods that increase risk and defeat the purpose of assessment, nor does it require deployment of equipment on the inside of the pipe. V&A is piloting a technique developed in the oil and gas industry to use an EM probe on the outside of the pipe to measure metal thickness. Ross Valley Sanitary District's seven-mile force main system is about 42% reinforced concrete cylinder pipe (RCCP), with a steel cylinder surrounded by cement and outside steel reinforcing, installed between 1958 and 1986. RVSD would prefer avoidance of costly replacement if a non-destructive condition assessment technique would indicate more years of remaining service. The application of EM testing to a section of RCCP pipe along a known corrosion gradient will be presented, along with costs, equipment, procedures and results, and the potential application of EM testing in RVSD's broader condition assessment program will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:
Understand electromagnetic testing equipment, procedures, and costs, and how they relate to metal thickness of force main assets and their remaining useful life.
Understand how the study of a gradient of defective pipe, using corroded section of bypass force main, demonstrated the usefulness and sensitivity of EM testing to measure metal pipe thickness.
Evaluate whether to invest in electromagnetic testing as a targeted condition assessment tool and compare it with other force main condition assessment techniques and force main management approaches."

Session 3: A New Tool for Concrete Cylinder Force Main Condition Assessment - External Electromagnetic Thickness Testing

The Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) spearheaded a critical infrastructure project to replace failing septic systems with public sewer service in five small, disadvantaged communities in Sacramento County. Many of the replaced septic systems were beyond their useful lifespan, unpermitted, or unable to meet modern regulatory standards, posing risks to public health and the environment. The project constructed approximately 51,660 linear feet of new sanitary sewer pipelines, enabling households to abandon outdated septic systems and connect to reliable public sewer service.

Given the financial hardships faced by these low-income communities, SacSewer successfully pursued local, state, and federal grant funding and other cost-sharing assistance to make sewer conversion available at no cost to the residential and school properties in these communities. This effort required extensive community engagement and education with the goal of residents and property owners understanding that converting to sewer service would not only alleviate septic system maintenance burdens and avoid increasingly stringent septic regulations, but also protect groundwater, bolster public health, and enhance their property values. SacSewer expects construction to conclude by the end of 2025 with successful implementation ensuring long-term environmental protection and equitable access to essential wastewater services in Sacramento County.
Presenters will share lessons learned in securing and coordinating funding, managing project schedules, and designing effective community engagement strategies.
Key takeaways will include:
• How to approach and structure successful funding applications and coordinate with multiple funding agencies
• Strategies for building property owner trust and participation
• Critical lessons from construction document requirements and permitting
• Team collaboration practices between owners, SacSewer, funding agencies, and design and funding consultants that improved project delivery
The session will be interactive, using tools such as Mentimeter to engage the audience through live polls and Q&A. Attendees will leave with both immediate, actionable strategies for their own projects and broader lessons for sustaining long-term infrastructure improvements in underserved communities.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will understand and know how to approach and structure successful funding applications and coordinate with multiple funding agencies.
Upon completion, participants will know strategies for building property owner trust and participation.
Upon completion, participants will know lessons from construction document requirements and permitting as well as team collaboration practices between homeowners, SacSewer, funding agencies, and consultants that improved project delivery."

AC26 Recordings Sponsored By: 

Registrants who view the live webinar to see the slides and hear the audio and then enter the correct attention check code (directions below) will receive 3.0 contact hours towards CWEA's certification:CSM

To receive your contact hours for viewing the recording, you will need to view each video in the series. Upon completion of the last video in the series, the system will automatically unlock the attention check code for you view. The two (2) different attention check codes that will be displayed, and you will need to enter these codes as 1st attention check code – 2nd attention check code (XXXX-XXXX) in the Attention Check Code component under the "Contents" tab.  

Please note, all user activity of CWEA certification holders on the Online Wastewater Education Network is subject to the CWEA Code of Ethics standards for professional conduct and ethics. Certification holders should receive credit for a training only once within the same contact hour period. Any attempt to undermine the certification process may be subject to ethics procedures and possible sanctions. It is not possible to receive contact hours for both attending the live webinar and viewing the recording.  

Once you have entered the correct attendance check codes, you will be able to create and download an electronic certificate of completion under the "Contents" tab.