Center for Water Center for Water Resource StudiesResource Studies

Andrew N.S. Ernest, Ph.D., P.E., DEEAndrew N.S. Ernest, Ph.D., P.E., DEEDirector, Center for Water Resource StudiesDirector, Center for Water Resource Studies

Associate Dean, Ogden College of Science and Associate Dean, Ogden College of Science and EngineeringEngineering

Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University

Andrew ErnestAndrew Ernest

Engineer-EducatorEngineer-Educator M.S., B.S., Ph.D.M.S., B.S., Ph.D.

Civil EngineeringCivil Engineering Professional Engineer (P.E.)Professional Engineer (P.E.)

Texas Board of Professional EngineersTexas Board of Professional Engineers Environmental EngineeringEnvironmental Engineering Experience & ExaminationExperience & Examination

Diplomate Environmental Engineer (DEE)Diplomate Environmental Engineer (DEE) American Academy of Environmental EngineersAmerican Academy of Environmental Engineers Specialty Certification: Water & WastewaterSpecialty Certification: Water & Wastewater Experience & ExaminationExperience & Examination

Technical CapacityTechnical Capacity Water Resource ManagementWater Resource Management

Water Quality AssessmentsWater Quality Assessments Total Maximum Daily LoadsTotal Maximum Daily Loads Phase II StormwaterPhase II Stormwater BMP DevelopmentBMP Development

Water/WastewaterWater/Wastewater POTW ImprovementsPOTW Improvements On-Site/Small & Decentralized On-Site/Small & Decentralized

SystemsSystems Constructed WetlandsConstructed Wetlands

Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental Sustainability Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development Environmental ProtectionEnvironmental Protection

Environmental InformaticsEnvironmental Informatics Environmental ModelingEnvironmental Modeling GIS/EIS GIS/EIS Rule-Based Decision MakingRule-Based Decision Making Multi-Objective Resource Multi-Objective Resource

ManagementManagement Risk ManagementRisk Management

HAZWOPER (Train-The-HAZWOPER (Train-The-Trainer)Trainer)

Real Time Risk Assessment & Real Time Risk Assessment & Response DeterminationResponse Determination

RemediationRemediation BioremediationBioremediation PhytoremediationPhytoremediation

Professional PhilosophyProfessional Philosophy Integration of Professional Integration of Professional

Practice into Academic Practice into Academic TrainingTraining

Research with Direct Research with Direct Community Service Community Service ApplicationsApplications

Service to the Community Service to the Community through Training & Educationthrough Training & Education

Economic Development Economic Development through Technology Incubation through Technology Incubation

ProfessionalPractice

Training&

Education

TechnologyIncubation

EconomicDevelopment

Research&

Development

CWRS MissionCWRS Mission

“…“…conduct research, conduct research, outreach, education and outreach, education and assistance for the protection assistance for the protection of public health through the of public health through the provision of safe drinking provision of safe drinking water and clean water”water and clean water”

PersonnelPersonnel John All, J.D.John All, J.D.

Geo-Environmental PolicyGeo-Environmental Policy Rob Byrd, Ph.D.Rob Byrd, Ph.D.

Data StructuresData Structures Chris Groves, Ph.D.Chris Groves, Ph.D.

Karst Environmental HydrogeologyKarst Environmental Hydrogeology Scott Grubbs, Ph.D.Scott Grubbs, Ph.D.

Aquatic HabitatAquatic Habitat Stephen Kenworthy, Ph.D.Stephen Kenworthy, Ph.D.

Sediment HydrogeomorphologySediment Hydrogeomorphology Albert Meier, Ph.D.Albert Meier, Ph.D.

Ecological ModelingEcological Modeling Ouida Meier, Ph.D.Ouida Meier, Ph.D.

Ecological Data AnalysisEcological Data Analysis Cathleen Webb, Ph.D.Cathleen Webb, Ph.D.

Chemical Treatment TechnologiesChemical Treatment Technologies Guangming Xing, Ph.D.Guangming Xing, Ph.D.

XML/Information ExchangeXML/Information Exchange Uta Ziegler, Ph.D.Uta Ziegler, Ph.D.

Artificial Intelligence/Rule-Based Decision SystemsArtificial Intelligence/Rule-Based Decision Systems

Ogden Environmental

Water Quality Laboratory

Hoffman Institute

Hoffman Environmental Research Institute

               

Technical Assistance Center for Wastewater

TACWWServing the Public by Providing Innovative Wastewater

Assistance

CWRS ComponentsCWRS Components

Ogden Environmental LaboratoryOgden Environmental Laboratory

A Certified Laboratory Providing Regulatory Grade A Certified Laboratory Providing Regulatory Grade Analytical Services through the Training of Analytical Services through the Training of University StudentsUniversity Students

Municipal & Private Drinking WaterMunicipal & Private Drinking Water Wastewater Treatment PlansWastewater Treatment Plans Industrial WastewaterIndustrial Wastewater Agricultural & Urban RunoffAgricultural & Urban Runoff Recreational WatersRecreational Waters

Hoffman Environmental InstituteHoffman Environmental Institute

A Consortium of Scientists and Students A Consortium of Scientists and Students Dedicated to the Development of Innovative Dedicated to the Development of Innovative Basic and Applied Research Aimed at Basic and Applied Research Aimed at Understanding of the Human-Landscape-Understanding of the Human-Landscape-Atmosphere InteractionsAtmosphere Interactions

Geographical Information SystemsGeographical Information Systems Environmental ProtectionEnvironmental Protection International ProgramsInternational Programs Publications and Publications and

Technical Assistance Center for Technical Assistance Center for Water QualityWater Quality

Serves to Assist Small Systems as well as Others Serves to Assist Small Systems as well as Others Throughout the Country in Meeting the Throughout the Country in Meeting the Requirements of the Safe Drinking Water ActRequirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act

Water Utility Management Training CoursesWater Utility Management Training Courses Small Water Systems Circuit Rider ProgramSmall Water Systems Circuit Rider Program Source Water Protection ProgramSource Water Protection Program Database Management System and Information Database Management System and Information

ToolsTools Innovative Technical AssistanceInnovative Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance Center for Technical Assistance Center for WastewaterWastewater

Provides Technical Assistance with Treatment and Impacts Provides Technical Assistance with Treatment and Impacts of Wastewaterof Wastewater

Public Outreach and AssistancePublic Outreach and Assistance Small Systems Circuit Rider ProgramSmall Systems Circuit Rider Program Wastewater Utility Management Training CoursesWastewater Utility Management Training Courses Physical, Chemical, and Biological Monitoring and Physical, Chemical, and Biological Monitoring and

AssessmentAssessment Environmental Risk AssessmentsEnvironmental Risk Assessments Database Management & Environmental ModelingDatabase Management & Environmental Modeling

CWRS ActivitiesCWRS Activities

Utility Management InstituteUtility Management Institute Circuit RidersCircuit Riders Source Water ProtectionSource Water Protection Management, Operations & Compliance ToolboxManagement, Operations & Compliance Toolbox On-Site & Decentralized SystemsOn-Site & Decentralized Systems Stormwater ManagementStormwater Management CREP Monitoring & AssessmentCREP Monitoring & Assessment ICERTSICERTS

Utility Management InstituteUtility Management Institute

Partnership with Partnership with Kentucky Rural Water Kentucky Rural Water AssociationAssociation

TrainingTraining Small System Small System

ManagersManagers OperatorsOperators Office ManagersOffice Managers

Utility Management 101Utility Management 101 Utility Organization, Utility Organization,

Regulation & LawRegulation & Law Utility Finance & Utility Finance &

AdministrationAdministration Human Resource Human Resource

Management for UtilitiesManagement for Utilities Modern Technology & Modern Technology &

Utility ManagementUtility Management Public Relations in Utility Public Relations in Utility

ManagementManagement

Leading to the Utility Management Professional (UMP) DesignationLeading to the Utility Management Professional (UMP) Designation

Small Systems Circuit RiderSmall Systems Circuit Rider Partnership with Kentucky Partnership with Kentucky

Rural Water AssociationRural Water Association Extend the success of the Extend the success of the

“Rural Water” Circuit Rider “Rural Water” Circuit Rider conceptconcept

Concentrate technical Concentrate technical assistance to small and very assistance to small and very small public water systemssmall public water systems

Systems Serving Fewer Than 3300 Systems Serving Fewer Than 3300 People People

Concentration On Systems Serving Fewer Concentration On Systems Serving Fewer Than 500 People*Than 500 People*

Technical-Financial-Technical-Financial-Managerial AssistanceManagerial Assistance

Leak DetectionLeak Detection Mapping & GIS AssistanceMapping & GIS Assistance Groundwater Protection PlansGroundwater Protection Plans Consumer Confidence ReportsConsumer Confidence Reports Vulnerability AssessmentsVulnerability Assessments Emergency Response PlansEmergency Response Plans Analytical Reporting Analytical Reporting

RequirementsRequirements Rate Analysis and Cost of Rate Analysis and Cost of

Service StudiesService Studies Compliance AssistanceCompliance Assistance Comprehensive System Comprehensive System

EvaluationsEvaluations

Small System Circuit Rider

*Systems Typically Ineligible for USDA Rural Development Assistance

Management, Operations & Management, Operations & Compliance ToolboxCompliance Toolbox

Facilitate ReportingFacilitate Reporting Data/Metadata Data/Metadata

Retrieval, Storage, Retrieval, Storage, ExchangeExchange

End User InterfaceEnd User Interface Information/ToolsInformation/Tools

Website Design And MaintenanceWebsite Design And Maintenance Database Structure And Database Structure And

MaintenanceMaintenance Internet Java-based Database Internet Java-based Database

Interface Interface Computers Donation & Computers Donation &

RehabilitationRehabilitation Data Analysis: Geographic, Water Data Analysis: Geographic, Water

Quality, SDWISQuality, SDWIS Water Quality Data And MCL Water Quality Data And MCL

Violations Mapping/AnalysisViolations Mapping/Analysis Education And Science Advisory Education And Science Advisory

ServiceService MOR AdvisorMOR Advisor Water Loss Calculator Water Loss Calculator Watershed MappingWatershed Mapping Sanitary SurveysSanitary Surveys Wholesale Rate CalculationWholesale Rate Calculation National Tools CDNational Tools CD

Management, Operations & Compliance Toolbox

On-Site & Decentralized SystemsOn-Site & Decentralized Systems

Need For Management Of Need For Management Of Decentralized SystemsDecentralized Systems

FailuresFailures• Inadequate MaintenanceInadequate Maintenance• Inappropriate DesignInappropriate Design

Sometimes NoneSometimes None• Poor ConstructionPoor Construction

Management OversightManagement Oversight• Required for Rational Required for Rational

Development & Use of DWMDevelopment & Use of DWM Problem ExacerbationProblem Exacerbation

Rapid Growth in Rapid Growth in Public/Community Water Public/Community Water SystemsSystems

Rural Communities with Sub-Rural Communities with Sub-Optimal Wastewater SystemsOptimal Wastewater Systems

Sensitive Geo-HydrologySensitive Geo-Hydrology

Goals Of Management Of Goals Of Management Of Decentralized SystemsDecentralized Systems

Overcome Stigma Of Failed Overcome Stigma Of Failed Onsite SystemsOnsite Systems

Obtain Cost Savings By Using Obtain Cost Savings By Using Recently Developed Recently Developed TechnologiesTechnologies

Allow For Development & Allow For Development & Testing Of New TechnologiesTesting Of New Technologies

Encourage Orderly Encourage Orderly Development Of Unsewered Development Of Unsewered Areas In Context Of A Areas In Context Of A Sustainable EnvironmentSustainable Environment

On-Site & Decentralized Systems

On-Site Treatment & Disposal On-Site Treatment & Disposal OptionsOptions

Treatment SystemsTreatment Systems Septic Tanks Septic Tanks Holding TankHolding Tank: Blackwater with Greywater to Septic : Blackwater with Greywater to Septic

TankTank Composting ToiletComposting Toilet: Blackwater with Greywater to Septic : Blackwater with Greywater to Septic

TankTank Incinerating ToiletIncinerating Toilet: Blackwater with Greywater to Septic : Blackwater with Greywater to Septic

TankTank Aerated TanksAerated Tanks Intermittent Sand FilterIntermittent Sand Filter: Septic Tank Pretreatment: Septic Tank Pretreatment RecirculatingRecirculating Intermittent Sand Filter Intermittent Sand Filter: Septic Tank : Septic Tank

PretreatmentPretreatment Subsurface Wetland SystemSubsurface Wetland System: Septic Tank Pretreatment: Septic Tank Pretreatment RecirculatingRecirculating Intermittent Sand & Anaerobic Filters Intermittent Sand & Anaerobic Filters: :

Septic Tank to Anaerobic Filter to Intermittent Sand Septic Tank to Anaerobic Filter to Intermittent Sand filter with Recirculation to Anaerobic Filterfilter with Recirculation to Anaerobic Filter

RecirculatingRecirculating Trickling Filter Trickling Filter: Septic Tank to Trickling : Septic Tank to Trickling Filter with Recirculation to Septic TankFilter with Recirculation to Septic Tank

RecirculatingRecirculating Rotating Biological Contactor Rotating Biological Contactor: Septic : Septic Tank to RBC with Recirculation to Septic TankTank to RBC with Recirculation to Septic Tank

RecirculatingRecirculating Anaerobic & Trickling Filters Anaerobic & Trickling Filters: Septic Tank : Septic Tank to Anaerobic Filter to Trickling Filter with Recirculation to Anaerobic Filter to Trickling Filter with Recirculation to Anaerobic Filterto Anaerobic Filter

Separated Separated DenitrificationDenitrification Systems Systems: Grey and : Grey and BlackwaterBlackwater

Peat FilterPeat Filter: Septic Tank Pretreatment: Septic Tank Pretreatment Sequencing Batch Reactor: Septic Tank PretreatmentSequencing Batch Reactor: Septic Tank Pretreatment Septic Tank/Wetland/Trickling FilterSeptic Tank/Wetland/Trickling Filter Septic Tank/Wetland/Mound SystemSeptic Tank/Wetland/Mound System

Disposal SystemsDisposal Systems Conventional Absorption Beds and TrenchesConventional Absorption Beds and Trenches Evapotranspiration BedsEvapotranspiration Beds Pressure Dosing SystemsPressure Dosing Systems Leaching ChambersLeaching Chambers Spray Irrigation SystemsSpray Irrigation Systems Mound SystemsMound Systems

Stormwater ManagementStormwater Management National Pollutant National Pollutant

Discharge Elimination Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) PermitSystem (NPDES) Permit

Phase IIPhase II Municipal Separate Storm Municipal Separate Storm

Sewer Systems (MS4s)Sewer Systems (MS4s) Urbanized Areas (>50K)Urbanized Areas (>50K) Small (>1K) DesignatedSmall (>1K) Designated

• ImpactImpact• UA InterconnectionUA Interconnection

Critical MassCritical Mass FacilitationFacilitation CoordinationCoordination

Public Education and Public Education and Outreach Outreach

Public Public Participation/Involvement Participation/Involvement

Illicit Discharge Detection Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination and Elimination

Construction Site Runoff Construction Site Runoff Control Control

Post-Construction Runoff Post-Construction Runoff Control Control

Pollution Pollution Prevention/Good Prevention/Good Housekeeping Housekeeping

Stormwater Management

CREP Monitoring & AssessmentCREP Monitoring & Assessment

Problem: Improvements Problem: Improvements AssessmentAssessment

Little means of assessing the Little means of assessing the improvement in water quality or improvement in water quality or evaluating the benefits to Kentuckyevaluating the benefits to Kentucky

Problem: Benefits RealizationProblem: Benefits Realization CREP benefits will not be realized CREP benefits will not be realized

and publicized unless funding is and publicized unless funding is made available to monitor water made available to monitor water quality and the various plant and quality and the various plant and wildlife communities associated wildlife communities associated with the Green Riverwith the Green River

Solution: Cooperative Solution: Cooperative MonitoringMonitoring

A cooperative monitoring initiative A cooperative monitoring initiative focused on Kentucky’s CREP focused on Kentucky’s CREP region in order to assess the impact region in order to assess the impact of the CREP project and enhance of the CREP project and enhance the efficiency by which the CREP the efficiency by which the CREP project will attain its goalsproject will attain its goals

Improved Ecological IntegrityImproved Ecological Integrity Improved ecological integrity of the Improved ecological integrity of the

mainstem Upper Green River and mainstem Upper Green River and principal tributariesprincipal tributaries

Reduced LoadingsReduced Loadings Reduced sediment, nutrient, and Reduced sediment, nutrient, and

pesticide inputs from agricultural sources pesticide inputs from agricultural sources entering the mainstem Upper Green River entering the mainstem Upper Green River and principal tributariesand principal tributaries

Enhanced HabitatEnhanced Habitat Enhanced habitat and populations of Enhanced habitat and populations of

wildlife, including numerous rare, wildlife, including numerous rare, threatened, and endangered speciesthreatened, and endangered species

Riparian RestorationRiparian Restoration Sustain and restore riparian habitat Sustain and restore riparian habitat

corridors along mainstem Upper Green corridors along mainstem Upper Green River and principal tributariesRiver and principal tributaries

Landscape Element ReconnectionLandscape Element Reconnection Reconnect landscape elements; establish Reconnect landscape elements; establish

buffers around sinkholes in karst regionsbuffers around sinkholes in karst regions Non-Riparian Wetlands RestorationNon-Riparian Wetlands Restoration

Sustain and restore non-riparian Sustain and restore non-riparian wetlands, and restore barrens (native wetlands, and restore barrens (native prairies and savannas)prairies and savannas)

CREP Monitoring & Assessment

Resource SharingInfrastructure

Synergy

ICERTS PreceptICERTS Precept

Trainer

Consumables

EquipmentDepreciation

Analytical Training

Analyst

Consumables

EquipmentDepreciation

Analyst/Trainer

Consumables

EquipmentDepreciation

Trainee-Technicians

Synergy

Cos

t P

er A

naly

sis

Cos

t P

er T

rain

ee

CostPerAnalysis

WKUProduct

ICERTS

ICERTSICERTS

Integrated Goals:Integrated Goals: ResearchResearch

• Maximizing the ability of each partnering agency's ability to further Maximizing the ability of each partnering agency's ability to further their research missions through the optimal utilization of research their research missions through the optimal utilization of research grade instrumentation through the formalization of resource sharing.grade instrumentation through the formalization of resource sharing.

TrainingTraining• Provision of formal training and certification of field, laboratory and Provision of formal training and certification of field, laboratory and

environmental technicians serving an immediate need for the environmental technicians serving an immediate need for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.Commonwealth of Kentucky.

ServiceService• Enabling local, state and regional private and public sector entities Enabling local, state and regional private and public sector entities

to meet environmental management goals through the provision of to meet environmental management goals through the provision of high quality environmental data collection, management and high quality environmental data collection, management and analysis.analysis.

ICERTS