The Power of Education in Mitigating Risk: A Case Study in Protecting Water Quality

The Power of Education in Mitigating Risk: A Case Study in Protecting Water Quality Education, as we all know, is the key component of successful endeavors. Within the ever changing drinking water industry, professionals from various fields all contribute to the successful production and distribution of drinking water for human consumption. Administrators, managers, engineers, and operators all play a vital

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Backflow Prevention Programs: Keys to Success

Backflow Prevention Programs: Keys to Success The implementation of a comprehensive cross connection control and backflow prevention program is often overlooked and considered non-critical due to time, cost, and associated burdens placed on customers and water system administrators.  So, what is considered a successful program?  The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines success as a favorable or desired outcome or the correct or

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Are We Contaminating Our Water?

Are We Contaminating Our Water? The recent Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) confirmations of a deadly brain-eating amoeba that has been found in two (2) drinking water systems in Louisiana should be a cause for concern by water system professionals.  While incidents of this nature are very rare, with only 128 cases (according to CDC) reported nationwide since 1962, it

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Backflow Prevention Programs: How Do I Get Started?

Backflow Prevention Programs: How Do I Get Started? The thought of starting a backflow prevention program can be difficult at best and daunting at worst, if the person charged with this responsibility has limited or no experience in the field of backflow prevention. Often times, the program manager may initially have little knowledge of backflow; however, they are the “point

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Drinking Water Safety (Part 1)

Drinking Water Safety (Part 1) This article was originally printed in Louisiana Civil Engineer magazine, May 2011, Volume 19, No. 3. As engineers, we are generally concerned with design and construction issues on our engineered projects, with little feedback on their operations – unless there are problems!  In essence, our project may become a “one and done” event never to

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Drinking Water Safety (Part 2)

Drinking Water Safety (Part 2) THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PRINTED IN LOUISIANA CIVIL ENGINEER MAGAZINE, MAY 2011, VOLUME 19, NO. 3. So the question becomes, “Why is it so difficult for water systems to comply with this regulation?”  Perhaps it is because the answer is complex.  Regulations regarding cross connection control and backflow prevention can be found in the Louisiana

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