End of the Line news and information for HRSD employees

FEATURED WORK CENTER:

In This Issue From The General Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Summer 2003

2 Virginia Initiative Plant 4 6 8 Contributor: Marty Overstreet, Chief Operator, VIP

In Fond Memory: Pete Ballard . . . . . . . . . . . Tidbits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Employee News . . . . . . . .

A NEW ARRIVAL The HRSD general brochure was recently redesigned and is provided for your reading pleasure. The brochure will be used for staff presentations, special events, Green-Tips radio show mailings, among other outreach activities. Please contact Nancy Gray if you did not receive one or would like additional copies. A special brochure feature is the inside back cover pocket, which holds inserts highlighting special topics. A water reuse insert has already been developed, and others are planned. Malcolm Warford (Atlantic Plant) photographed the picturesque image on this page. Staff members from each department, as well as the QST, reviewed the draft brochure before it was printed, providing very helpful feedback. The Communications Division greatly appreciates the efforts of all who contributed.

The Virginia Initiative Plant from effluent. This is just one (VIP) process, water reuse strategy HRSD has implemented to demonstration projects, and reduce nutrients released to the Elizabeth River Project River Star Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. wildlife habitat enhancement: Another key strategy is the These are some of the accomplishdevelopment of reuse of plant ments of VIP. Named for its effluent. Less effluent discharged process, to water▼ Virginia Initiative Plant staff the plant ways also replaced means the fewer primary nutrients treatment released. plants For the Lamberts past few Point and years, the Pinners plant has Point when been the it was site of an brought irrigation online in 1991. Lamberts Point was demonstration project. Virginia situated on the same site, and Cooperative Extension, Virginia Pinners Point was located in PortsTech Hampton Roads Agricultural mouth (the plant was deactivated Research Center, Virginia Tech, and and the flow diverted to VIP). HRSD have been collaborating to The VIP process is one of HRSD’s determine the potential of using greatest contributions to the reclaimed water for turfgrass and wastewater industry, developed ornamental plants. The City of and patented by HRSD and the Norfolk and Old Dominion Univerengineering firm CH2M Hill. The sity (ODU) hope to use this process, a unique type of resource at a planned city golf biological nutrient removal, is an course and ODU grounds adjacent environmentally sound technique to VIP. that eliminates much of the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus continued on page 3

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FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

Development Plan End of the Line is published quarterly for HRSD employees and features employee news, updates on projects and issues, and events. If you have information or story ideas for this publication, please contact Nancy Gray, Public Information Manager, at [email protected] or 460-7049. HRSD Communications Division P.O. Box 5911 Virginia Beach, VA 23471-0911

Issue Contributors Regular Features EMPLOYEE NEWS BRENDA MATESIG Human Resources Specialist JOB WELL DONE! ERWIN BONATZ Plant Manager, Atlantic Treatment Plant RON JOHNSON Chief of Industrial Waste TRACEY MARTIN Administrative Coordinator Customer Information Services MARTY OVERSTREET Chief Operator, VIP SAFETY FIRST JENNIFER RODRIGUES Safety Manager

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Many of you have worked in the middle of the night, enduring miserable conditions and weather, to ensure continuous system operation. Without your dedication, our 1.5 million customers would not be able to enjoy the conveniences of indoor plumbing. While many of our day-to-day efforts focus on system maintenance, we also must consider the future development of our pipelines, pump stations, and treatment plants. HRSD and Trust Consultant CH2M Hill recently completed the Development Plan 2000, a key strategic document that helps determine how HRSD plans for future facilities. The plan anticipates the interceptor system (force mains and pressure reducing stations) and treatment plant improvements needed to accommodate future wastewater flows within the HRSD service area. Projections are made in 10-year, phased increments. Existing conditions are verified in Phase I, intermediate future conditions are determined in Phases II and III, and ultimate buildout conditions are considered in Phase IV. For each phase, the plan estimates wastewater flows generated by residential, commercial, industrial, and other growth areas. Estimates are made on the basis of projected population and employment levels, as well as land use

data. Currently, Phase II projects a population increase of 200,000 (from 1.6 million to 1.8 million) between now and 2010 in our service area. Similarly, the average total wastewater flow could increase from 158.4 MGD to 193.9 MGD. To meet these demands, we anticipate these interceptor system and treatment plant improvements over the next several years: South Shore: • New pipe: 15 miles • New pump stations: 2 • Plant expansions: 1 (Atlantic) North Shore/Middle Peninsula: • New pipe: 10.7 miles • New pump stations: 2 • Plant expansions: none A key element of adopting the Development Plan 2000 is obtaining consensus with the 17 localities we serve. The City Council or Board of Supervisors for each locality must approve the plan through Phase III (2020). To expedite approval, the Regional Planning Team of municipal representatives was established in 1996 to develop a coordinated and ongoing planning and implementation process between HRSD and the localities. Collaboration among our stakeholders is critical as we develop the system improvements a growing population needs.

Two versions of the Development Plan 2000 were prepared. The locality version considers development through 2020, while the HRSD version considers the longest-range buildout. Both can be accessed through the Intranet (http://hrsd-intranet). Click on Engineering to access both plans.

Virginia Initiative Plant continued from page 1 Another demonstration project also appears promising. HRSD is working with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to provide reclaimed water for tunnel washing. If successful, VDOT would use up to 1 million gallons per year. This small project has the potential for development of a larger bulk distribution market. Before staff was growing turfgrass and ornamental plants with reclaimed water, they planted more than 200 trees for wildlife habitat enhancement, helping HRSD earn model-level River Star status from the Elizabeth River Project. The former 0.6 acre of turfgrass and ornamental trees provided minimal wildlife habitat and storm water filtering capability. VIP was selected as the project site because it was located in the Elizabeth River watershed and had the necessary grounds for the plantings. To say that VIP staff has received a few awards for its accomplishments would be an understatement. The development of the VIP process earned the plant several awards: 1990

American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE), Excellence in Environmental Engineering, Honor Award for Research

1991

Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA), Research and Technology Award

1991

Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for Resource Conservation

1992

AAEE, Excellence in Environmental Engineering, Grand Prize for Design

1992

American Consulting Engineers Council, Grand Award for Engineering Excellence

Since 1992, the plant has received one AMSA Platinum Award, seven Gold Awards, and four Silver Awards for outstanding permit compliance. The hallmark of VIP, however, is not its process. Rather, it is the staff of 29 full-time employees, 21 of whom have 10 or more years of service. Fifteen of the plant’s employees have received the Class I Wastewater Works Operator license, one has received Class II, and one has received Class IV. VIP has a high rate of employee retention, with employees having spent an average of three-quarters of their careers at the plant. What is the secret to their success? Plant management says it is the high standards, dedication, flexibility, and adaptability of the staff. Staff has adapted to organizational restructuring, job attrition, and the everchanging face of the work force. At VIP, MTQ is a conscious way of doing business, resulting in “ownership” by all staff. Rather than let plant management tackle a problem, employees feel “it’s all our problem.” All for one, and one for all!

At VIP, MTQ is a conscious way of doing business, resulting in “ownership” by all staff.

VIP FAST FACTS Receiving stream: Elizabeth River Operation startup: 1948 (20-MGD primary as the Lamberts Point Plant) Capacity (design flow): 40 MGD Average daily flow (2002): 28.4 MGD Level of treatment: Secondary plus biological nutrient removal Solids management: Incineration (ash is recycled)

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IN

LOVING

MEMO

 ETE A

On April 19 we lost a dear friend and colleague, Peter M. Ballar Pete died at the age of 46, just five months after being diagnosed w and son Lance. He devoted 16 years of his life to HRSD, the last 1 Treatment Plant and Virginia Initiative Plant. A few of Pete’s colle I did not know Pete but for a short period of time. When I first arrived at Boat Harbor, I was told he was quite a cantankerous individual. I found this to be very true. Pete’s sense of humor was wry, dry, and full of cutting wit. Over the course of a few short months, I got to know him a little better. He told me about bits and pieces of his life in the Navy, HRSD, and a couple of major life obstacles he had overcome. I never knew Pete to be one who would divulge anything about himself on his own, but if you would ask him something, he would tell you. Therefore, I was quite surprised one morning last October when he came into my office and proudly laid out before me a photo album of his recent wedding. He described every picture, and it was clear that his new wife and stepdaughter had added a new fire into his life. Sadly, it was only a few weeks later that we would all learn of his terminal condition. Pete overcame life’s final obstacle with grace, strength, dignity, courage, and peace. He was, and is, an inspiration that is greatly missed. ~ Bob Jones Two years ago when I first met Pete, he was not the friendliest guy to run across. Back then old Pete was just turning the corner from being a brash, outspoken, easily irritated individual. Luckily for me, within a month or so from when I met Pete, the greater portion of change began to appear in him. Pete once told me he had been going to Bible class during the week, and it was really starting to show. Before long I felt good about being around Pete at work, which was a big change from when I first met him. The old Pete always seemed to be mad about something, but this new guy was a lot more relaxed and peaceful. Pete and I worked on many projects in maintenance and always had a good time, doing good work. I thought we clicked pretty good but wasn’t sure why. One day while chatting about ages, Pete and I discovered that we were only three days apart in age. So there it was – we were like astrological brothers because of our birth dates. Just when everything seemed its best, Pete had gotten married and all, another change seemed to be taking form. Pete seemed to be getting slow and slightly confused. Before long it was revealed that Pete was not getting lazy but in fact was sick. Soon it was revealed that Pete was really sick. Eventually Pete had to move on to the next phase of God’s plan for him. I’ve found plenty of things that keep Pete alive for me. My astrological brother is still around everywhere I see a project that we worked on and laughed about. Since his absence, the little things in life often inspire me to appreciate my time here because, like Pete, we never know when it might be time to move on. May God’s grace be with Pete in his journey. ~ O. C. Russell

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Pete with his wife Zara an

RY

OF

A

FRIEND

ALLARD

rd, a maintenance operator at the Boat Harbor Treatment Plant. with cancer. He is survived by his wife Zara, stepdaughter Maggie, 1 years at Boat Harbor and the remainder at Chesapeake-Elizabeth eagues at Boat Harbor would like to share their memories of him. Pete had a really cool sense of humor. We shared quite a few inside jokes. He always had something witty or sarcastic to say. He could find a way to make you laugh even when things weren’t going so well. You could tell that he liked you if he went out of his way to make fun of you. I miss his humor and wit. I learned a lot from Pete. He was always there when I needed help with something. He was very intelligent and full of ideas. The knowledge that I gained from Pete is priceless. I was blessed with the opportunity to get to know Pete really well. I always thought that Pete was a really good guy. He was an independent person and did a lot of things on his own. I got to know Pete better, and we became friends. It felt good to know that Pete considered me his friend because he didn’t let a lot of people in. We talked often. I got the chance to meet his family and his friends from his church. I was there to see him become a husband and father. Most importantly, I watched the changes in Pete’s life making him more down-to-earth, decent, and honest and a husband deeply in love with his wife, as well as a wonderful friend. ~ Roderick Melvin I think about when Pete and I started to talk. I remember him going to Bible study and changes that occurred in his life as Jesus became more a part of him. We would talk about what a particular passage meant. We talked about the uncertainty of things in life, mistakes we had made, and the promises of the future. He came to me to tell me he had met someone and was uncertain of their future. Then we laughed, hugged, and shed tears when he married Zara. I can hear his voice when we talked about his desires when he received his diagnosis. We talked and prayed often during those difficult days. I watched as Pete let go of the trials of this life and took hold of God’s hand. I look forward to seeing our friend again. ~ Shenice Franklin It was a pleasure to know and work with Pete for the last 15 years. He brought a unique joy to every day. ~ Alan Heilman Pete and I shared a love for books and quiet time. I will miss his straight-forward attitude and not-always-smiling face. ~ Ken Sands

nd stepdaughter Maggie.

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TIDBITS Bravo!

Job Well Done!

Rhonda Bowen, Recycling Manager (Treatment), and Jeff Webster, NS Electrician (Williamsburg Plant), completed the 2003 MS 150 Bike Tour. Rhonda and Jeff bicycled 150 miles from Suffolk Municipal Airport to Chowan College in Murfreesboro, N.C., in support of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Tour raised more than $350,000 for this chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system. Pete Meghinasso, Chief Operator (Atlantic Plant), received the God and Service Recognition from the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church and Boy Scouts of America. Pete was honored for his numerous, significant contributions to community youth and the church through many years of devoted service. Cheryl Young, Human Resources Analyst (Finance & Administration), was elected Secretary of the Board of Directors, Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast.

Earth Action Day A cast of many joined Atlantic Treatment Plant staff to produce Earth Action Day. These HRSD supporters performed a multitude of administrative tasks: setup and breakdown, registration, lunch, and public relations. In addition, several employees led the day’s events: treatment plant tour, bird and bat house construction, endangered species lecture, water quality testing, and butterfly garden planting. Many thanks to those who helped 125 high school science students and scouts get a taste of A Water-Filled Life for the third annual event: Erwin Bonatz (Atlantic Plant) Petra Bott (Central Environmental Laboratory) Karen Harr (Chesapeake-Elizabeth Plant) Steve Hawthorne (SS Industrial Waste) Dale Hudson (Machine & Carpenter Shops) Bruce Husselbee (Design & Construction) Juanita Kendall (Machine Shop) Joe Kushlan (Atlantic Plant) Kelly Lamp-Jones (Army Base Plant) Todd Lapp (NS Carpenter Shop) Patty Lee (Central Environmental Laboratory) Pete Meghinasso (Atlantic Plant)

Safety First: Access to Records

Jeff Moffett (Atlantic Plant) Nancy Munnikhuysen (Communications) Wanda Peacock (Central Environmental Laboratory) David Porter (Atlantic Plant) Lora Reed (Central Environmental Laboratory) Harold Reynolds (Atlantic Plant) Denise Smith (SS Industrial Waste) Mike Swartz (NS Carpenter Shop) Chris Traylor (Atlantic Plant) Larry Uzzle (Atlantic Plant) Angie Voliva (Atlantic Plant) Larry Wagoner (Atlantic Plant) Malcolm Warford (SS Electrical Shop) Kerri Williams (SS Industrial Waste) Marge York (Procurement)

NEW!

HRSD current and former employees can access their exposure and medical records, in accordance with OSHA provisions (Section 1910.20). The Safety Office keeps these records, which are available for onsite viewing and photocopying: • Air sampling results. • Wellness check results (total cholesterol, blood sugar, and vital signs). • Medical records, including audiometric and spirometric test results. (Please note that physical examination results are maintained by the Human Resources Office.) Employees have access to their records only. Please submit your request in writing or visit the Safety Office (1st floor, Main Office). For more information about this or other safety issues, please call Jennifer Rodrigues, Safety Manager, at 460-7060.

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VIP Maintenance Collaboration

Air Rail Avenue Complex Picnic Cole slaw and burgers and beans, oh my! Each year, the efforts of a few provide a feast for many. This year’s picnic committee representatives were: Stephanie Black (Safety) Lisa Forbes (Technical Services) Harry Hardee (Reliability Bruce Husselbee (Design & Construction) Tracy Martin (Customer Information Services) Rudy Montoya (Automotive) Many thanks to the committee for organizing the picnic and raffle prizes and to these SS Operations staff for assisting with site preparation: Philip Arenz Larry Barr Ricky Echavaria Mike Mundy Jason Warren Last but not least, Don Butler and company at NS Operations provided the grill for the burgers and dogs.

Staff at the Virginia Initiative Plant (VIP) did not let a major modification project get the better of them, demonstrating initiative, dedication, and flexibility. An upgrade to the primary clarifier scum system gave facility and maintenance assistants, as well as maintenance operators, the opportunity to collaborate. Maintenance staff had to juggle the major system modification, while performing preventive maintenance on schedule. Accomplishing both tasks created a domino effect in job duties. To get the first domino to fall, facility assistants Louie Hickman, James Hill, Dennis Wilkins, and William Williams offered to assume some of the routine preventive maintenance duties normally performed by maintenance assistants. This allowed maintenance assistants Floyd Anthony, Craig Speller, Stephen Varney, and Mike White to perform project-related tasks to help upgrade the scum system. Maintenance operators Mark Banaag, Gerald Collins, Bobby Joyner, and Wallace Long provided on-the-job training to the maintenance assistants. Throughout the project, maintenance staff had to ensure reliability of all plant operations. Rather than contract this major modification project, the maintenance staff was willing to shift job tasks and assume new responsibilities. A project that was expected to take 12 months took just 9 months, thanks to a few good men.

Pretreatment Excellence And P2 Awards Ceremony At the 10th annual awards ceremony on May 7, HRSD recognized the businesses that met their HRSD Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit requirements in 2002. HRSD presented awards to businesses and industries for pretreatment excellence and pollution prevention (P2), but it was Industrial Waste Division (IWD) staff who orchestrated a luncheon ceremony truly worthy of its own award. For this commemorative ceremony, IWD staff invited state and local elected officials, representatives from EPA headquarters, as well as the usual 300-plus honorees and guests. Planning and preparation for the luncheon actually began in December 2002, when P2 award applications were sent to 224 permitted businesses and industries. Typically, this event requires a great deal of time and effort from key IWD staff members, in addition to their normal duties. Jill DeCarlis, Administrative Assistant, and Karyle McMahon, Administrative Supervisor, did the lion’s share of the planning and preparation, as in past years. Karyle and Jill worked nights and weekends to ensure the ceremony was top notch. In addition to the long list of responsibilities, they had to satisfy the numerous requests of Ron Johnson, Chief of Industrial Waste, and Guy Aydlett, Director of Water Quality. Despite the challenges, Karyle and Jill displayed their usual positive attitudes throughout the process. The result of their orchestration was a superb recognition ceremony honoring over 150 local businesses and industries. Honorees and special guests commented to the Chief that they were impressed with the entire event. However, the Chief was not the one who deserved those compliments. Hats off, Karyle and Jill, for a job exceptionally well done.

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Employee News* (February 15, 2003 - June 6, 2003) Service Awards 5 YEARS Edward Cherel Dean DeCarlis Patrick Grace James Hunt Dean Lowery William Schuh Cheryl Young

10 YEARS David Cooley Ronald Corby Guy Dominque

15 YEARS Roderick Barbee William Hunley Ronald McKenzie, Jr. Jerry Mosley Jeffery Myers Ronald Ross Robbie Warren Dennis Wilkins, Sr. Sandra Williams

20 YEARS Robert Jones II Peter Miller Susan Mott Thomas Shulson

Welcome New Employees Taletta Barnes, CIS Account Representative, Customer Information Services Christopher Bolling, Laboratory Technician, Central Environmental Lab Aaron Carlson, Water Quality Investigator, Technical Services Michael Eldert, Laboratory Manager, Central Environmental Lab Timothy Evans, Maintenance/Operations Assistant, Boat Harbor Plant Christopher Everton, Interceptor Technician, NS Operations Todd Lapp, Maintenance/Operations Assistant, York River Plant Victoria Lenz, Plant Operator, Chesapeake-Elizabeth Plant Sharon Maynard, Human Resources Coordinator, Finance and Administration Jennifer Rodrigues, Safety Manager, Treatment Jonathan Schemetti, Maintenance/Operations Assistant, Chesapeake-Elizabeth Plant Leo Van Der Meer, Plant Operator, Virginia Initiative Plant Darrell Watkins, Maintenance/Operations Assistant, Boat Harbor Plant

Congratulations On Your Promotion Dave Bailey to Account Investigator, Customer Information Services Daniel Disharoon to Interceptor Foreman, SS Operations David Ewing to Plant Operator, Chesapeake-Elizabeth Plant Gerald Kirkbride to Interceptor Technician, SS Operations Michelle Mobley to Industrial Waste Administrative Assistant, SS Industrial Waste Allen Perez to Plant Operator, Army Base Plant Jonathan Schemetti to Plant Operator, Chesapeake-Elizabeth Plant Edward Spencer to Maintenance/Operations Assistant, Middle Peninsula Vincent Wilson to Maintenance/Operations Assistant, Boat Harbor Plant

Congratulations On Your Transfer Tami Casey-Baldwin to Plant Clerk, Chesapeake-Elizabeth Plant Jaclyn DeCastillia to Account Investigator, Customer Information Services Roy Green to Maintenance/Operations Assistant, Army Base Plant Roger Nurse to Heavy Equipment Operator 1, NS Operations Craig Van Kleeck to Maintenance Operator, Chesapeake-Elizabeth Plant

A Fond Farewell* 25 YEARS Robert Berry Bobby Joyner

30 YEARS David Byrd William Smith

Chelsea Bennet, Technical Services, 1 year 10 months Gary Brogan, SS Operations, 9 years 6 months Charel de la Paz, Central Environmental Lab, 3 years 3 months David McClimate, Customer Information Services, 5 years 7 months Antonio Navarro, Physical Plant Division, 13 years 9 months Christy Talbert, Customer Information Services, 14 years 5 months *Voluntary separations with noted years of HRSD service

Best Wishes Retirees* Wedding Bells Stanley Saunders (NS Operations) married Robin Kennedy on March 27.

Milton Deloatch, Boat Harbor Plant, 28 years 7 months *With noted years of HRSD service

Proud New Parents* Jeffrey Stark, York River Plant Jason Turner, York River Plant *As reported to HR by work centers

In Fond Memory *As reported by Human Resources

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Peter Ballard, Boat Harbor Plant, 16 years 3 months