TOWA 2023 Annual Conference Program

TOWA 2023 CONFERENCE SPONSORS

DIAMOND SPONSORS

TOTE SPONSOR

Ecological Tanks

www.etiaquasafe.com

LANYARD SPONSOR

Nu-Water/Enviro Flo www.enviro-flo.net

SOUVENIR CUP SPONSOR

Block Creek Concrete Products www.blockcreek.com

ROE-D-HOE CO-SPONSOR

NC Pipe Precast Products www.ncpipe.com

TUESDAY LUNCH SPONSOR

Infiltrator Water Technologies www.infiltratorsystems.com

KOOZIE SPONSOR Aeris Aerobics www.aerisaerobics.com

BREAKFAST & BREAK SPONSORS

Tuesday Breakfast Nu-Water/Enviro Flo www.enviro-flo.net

Tuesday AM Break HiBlow USA www.hiblow-usa.com

Tuesday PM Break American Tank Company www.atcvacuumtruck.com

Wednesday Break Waste Management Tracker www.wastemanagementtracker.com

SIGNATURE SPONSORS

Advanced Drainage Systems www.ads-pipe.com

Aquafit Chlorination Systems LLC www.aquafitusa.net

Austin Pump & Supply Co www.austinpump.com

Clearstream Wastewater Systems Inc. www.clearstream.com

Del Zotto www.delzottoproducts.com Hoot Systems www.hootsystems.com Jet Inc. www.jetincorp.com

JNM Technologies, Inc. www.jnmtechnologies.com

Pro Flo Aerobic Systems www.profloaerobic.com

Solar Aerobic Systems LLC www.solarair.biz

Wholesale Pump & Supply, Inc www.wpspump.com

TOWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2023 CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

TOWA 2023 CONFERENCE CE PROCESS

TOWA is an approved continuing education provider by TCEQ (TCEQ Provider 0408). The conference is Course Code #1316. and offers up to 10 CE contact hours.

• Attendees MUST wear their badge (with the RFID Code on the back) at all times.

• Attendance is tracked by RFID monitoring in each session room.

• You are welcome to be anywhere (Classrooms or Exhibit Hall) however you will only get CE Hours for time spent in classrooms, not in the Exhibit Hall.

• You will be scanned in and out of each lecture hall and total time will be calculated automatically.

• You must walk in and out through the towers. It’s just that simple, nothing to sign.

• The total hours will be calculated automatically and a certificate with an evaluation will be emailed to you within a week.

• If you DO NOT have access to email, please advise the TOWA registration desk and we will fax or mail your copy.

• Total CE hours will be uploaded to the TCEQ following the conference and a CORRECT license number is required.

• You can verify hours uploaded under your license on the TCEQ website.

• For any questions, see the TOWA Conference Desk, or email txowaconference@ gmail.com after the show.

TCEQ requires accountable attendance tracking for ce credit. Thank you for your cooperation and support of advancing education in the industry. Any unethical or fraudulent representation of attendance is subject revocation of your TCEQ license.

ADDITIONAL CEU INFORMATION

HIGH STRENGTH WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

Room: Texas Room North

The High Strength Course requires a SEPARATE REGISTRATION. This is an additional class offered Monday, March 6 and Tuesday, March 7 from 9:00AM - 6:00PM each day. The High Strength Course will take place in the Texas Room North. To receive 16 hours full credit for this course, attendees must sign in and receive a certificate from the instructor.

Instructors: Dr. Anish Jantrania, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist, Texas A&M University

Since 2018, Texas A&M OSSF team has offered a two-day pre-conference program titled “Analyzing Wastewater Systems for High Strength and Hydraulic Loading” that provides 16 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). This year the team will offer a condensed version focusing on five topic areas: (1) high-strength wastewater characteristics, (2) calculation of mass loading, oxygen demand, aeration, and tank volume for treating high-strength wastewater, (3) examples of various high-strength wastewater treatment-trains, (4) operation, maintenance, and failure analysis with examples, and (5) microscopic evaluation of treatment systems. The overall objective of the day-long program is to reinforce the basics of high-strength wastewater systems including design, operation, and maintenance concepts. A final exam with ten multiple choice questions will be given at the end to determine the knowledge gained by the participants. Active participation throughout the program will be required to obtained 7 CEUs.

ALL High Strength attendees MAY ALSO attend the Exhibit Hall with FREE lunch Tuesday, and also may attend the main conference lectures on Wednesday for an ADDITIONAL 4 hours CE credit. You MUST WEAR YOUR BADGE and be sure to walk in through the scan towers in General Session Room.

ADVANCED MAINTENANCE PROVIDER INFO.

Room: Texas Room South

The Advanced Maintenance Provider Course requires a SEPARATE REGISTRATION. This is an additional class offered Monday, March 6 from 8:00AM - 5:00PM and Tuesday, March 7 from 9:00AM - 6:00PM.

The Advanced Maintenance Provider Course will take place in the Texas Room South. To receive 16 hours full credit for this course, attendees must sign in each day and receive a certificate from the instructor.

ALL Advanced Maintenance Provider Course attendees MAY ALSO attend the Exhibit Hall with FREE lunch Tuesday, and also may attend the main conference lectures on Wednesday for an ADDITIONAL 4 hours CE credit. You MUST WEAR YOUR BADGE and be sure to walk in through the scan towers in General Session Room.

TOWA 2023 CONFERENCE AGENDA

2023 TOWA Annual Conference Agenda (as of 2/17, subject to changes)

March 6, 2023 - Pre-Conference

Pre-conference - Texas North and South (Downstairs)

Pre-conference Event Day-1 "High Strength Wastewater Systems" Class

Pre-conference Event Day-1 "Advanced Maintenance Provider" Class

Pre-conference Classes Registration opens at 7:30 AM in the Foyer (Upstairs)

Conference Attendee & Exhibitor Registration opens at 4:00 PM in the Foyer

March 7, 2023 - Day 1

Breakfast - McLennan Hall / Chisholm Hall

Keynote Address - Brazos North and South

Water Reuse and OSSF Now and in the Future - Dr. Bruce Lesikar

Exhibit Hall Open. *AMP and HS Class reconvene for Day-2, 9am-6pm Hall Open - 9:00 AM- 6:00PM; Roe-D-Hoe Contest In Back of Hall - Open 9am-6:30pm.

Luncheon in McLennan Hall (thru Exhibits) - TOWA Annual Meeting

Exhibit Hall Break

Exhibit Hall Reception, Raffles & Roe-D-Hoe Finals !

Hall Open - Chisholm Hall

Breakfast 7:00AM - McLennan Hall *

Exhibit Hall Break

SPEAKER

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Water Reuse and OSSF Now and in the Future

Water is critical to for every part of our lives. As population grows, water reuse will gain importance for meeting our long-term water needs. Currently, our OSSF systems distribute water on the landscape meeting a portion of our water needs. Gray water systems are also an option for meeting some residential landscape water needs. However, guidelines are needed to provide greater use of reclaimed water within OSSF systems. Public health is a critical consideration when implementing water reuse systems. Domestic waste water has multiple contaminants that must be removed to generate a reusable water. Technologies for removing these contaminants exist. The level of required treatment should be matched to the intended reuse. Professionalism in the industry is critical when considering water reuse. All aspects of an OSSF implementation at a site including design, site evaluation, installation, installation inspection, maintenance and enforcement are critical to implementing a water reuse program as part of OSSF systems. Onsite wastewater reuse systems provide a valuable source of water to meet a portion of landscape irrigation needs. Onsite water management will be implemented on residential and commercial properties to effectively utilize all available water sources to meet the water needs. Landscape irrigation with wastewater allows property owners to have a conventional landscape even when facing landscape water use restriction. Water reuse technologies are used in municipal domestic wastewater and industrial water users. Water separation systems such as membrane bioreactors and reverse osmosis systems can provide effective removal of contaminates thus producing water available for reuse. Technology exists for reuse of water at single family residents. However, the OSSF will need to grow to meet this need for single family residents while meeting our role as protectors of public health, public safety, environmental health and environmental safety.

Communicating Maintenance

Maintenance is critical to continued performance of OSSF systems. Communication between the service provider, OSSF system and customer is critical for effectively protecting public health, public safety environmental health and environmental safety. Methods to communicate with the customer are presented to assist the industry meet the challenge of maintaining functional OSSF systems. Service providers need to communicate system information to the owner to prepare owner to keep systems treating the wastewater. Secondary treatment systems have a pump tank which serves as a data source for communicating system status. Pump tanks are used in most secondary treatment systems to collect the treated water and then distribute reuse water into the landscaping around a facility. The pump tank can provide critical information facilitating communication about system performance. Operation and maintenance professionals can use the information gained through evaluating the data gained from these components to inform the customer about the need to perform maintenance activities. Evaluation of pump tanks provides valuable information on the system performance. The water quality in a pump tank following secondary treatment components can indicate to the customer that solids need to be removed from the system. Hydraulic and organic overloading of the treatment system can result in material accumulation in the pump tank. Operational data collected from cycle event counters and elapsed time meters and associated pump performance data can present information regarding the average daily water usage. Comparing the data from the cycle event counter and the elapsed time meter can communicate the need to perform maintenance on the downstream components. The critical components facilitating the collection of the data and how to interpret the data will be described. Data interpretation to communicate maintenance needs will be discussed using example scenarios.

Water Reuse and Landscape

Water reuse is an important tool for meeting our long-term water needs. Onsite wastewater reuse systems provide a valuable source of water to meet a portion of landscape irrigation needs. Onsite water management will be implemented on residential and commercial properties to effectively utilize all available water sources to meet the water needs. Landscape irrigation with wastewater allows property owners to have a conventional landscape even when facing landscape water use restrictions. A water balance will be discussed regarding the water available for meeting landscaping needs for a residential and commercial system. An outline is presented for designing onsite wastewater treatment systems utilizing a landscaping water balance approach. The landscaping water needs on an annual basis is reviewed in comparison to water usage in a facility. System features that facilitate easy operation and maintenances actions for system long-term operation are defined.

SPEAKER & SESSION OVERVIEWS

continued from page 9

Pumper Tech

A pumper tech course is being developed to serve a need to share information with service providers pumping OSSFs. The presentation will describe the OSSF knowledge as applicable to pumping activities. The presentation will focus on delivery of knowledge associated with effectively conducting a pumping operation. Health and Safety is critical to effectively managing the systems. The technician and customer is protected through effectively managing biological, electrical, confined space and chemical hazards. Standard septic tank and secondary treatment system components are described to assist in awareness of pumping activities. Specific manufacturers have special considerations regarding these components. As an example, a Nyadic, Clear stream tank in tank function and Jet operations require special approaches to system pumping. Pump tanks, pumps and controls are discussed regarding the components and considerations when pumping a system. Management practices are presented to educate the technicians, installers and maintenance provider about the systems. Documentation is critical for demonstrating effective pumping of systems. Checklists for pretrip, pumping and post pumping communicate the status of the system and shares information with the customer.

TitlSite Water Management Part I

Site water management is recognizing all water sources on a site and identifying how the water will move on the site. The Part 1 discussion defines the water sources on and site and the potential pathways for water moving on a site. The different water inputs to a site will be identified along with the different water outputs from the site. A wholistic approach to site water management is discussed. The discussion of evapotranspiration and the quantity of water potentially removed through evapotranspiration. The site water loading rates for subsurface and surface application systems is compared to potential removal of water through evapotranspiration. Standard defined water loading rates plus additional landscape loading rates are discussed to provide a clear view of water movement on a site. Water movement through soil will be discussed. Biomat, and biozone work effectively to aerobically treat wastewater in the soil. The OSSF installation must protect this aerobic treatment zone. Water movement principals such as Darcy’s law will be presented as a means to assist in understanding how sloping sites have a greater potential to move water from the wastewater distribution area. Overall, the cumulative effect of water sources: rainfall, subsurface movement, runoff from impervious surfaces will be compared to soils ability to move water. Evapotranspiration is a critical means for removing water from our surface application systems

Site Water Management Part II

Site water management is recognizing all water sources on a site and identifying how the water will move on the site. The Part II discussion describes methods for managing water on the site to assist the OSSF to disperse treated effluent on the site. Separation distances for distribution technologies to groundwater and restrictive horizons is discussed. Implementing gravity and pressure distribution systems in areas with greater sensitivity to water management is presented. System orientation with respect to landscape slope and structures at a site is critical. Landscape water loading rate and water accumulation on a site is presented to improve decision making regarding location and orientation of systems. Landscaping features and site water management practices such as diversion berms, landscape swales, perimeter drains and open ditches are discussed as means to manage water on sites. These practices when implemented on a water challenged site can provide the aerobic treatment zone necessary for treating wastewater contaminants.

Speaker for above topics:

Bruce Lesikar Ph.D., Filtration Application Engineer, United Rentals

Bruce serves as a Filtration Application Engineer for United Rentals serving the Gulf coast. Bruce develops rental water treatment systems for industrial customers. The typical physical filtration technologies include weir tanks, mobile clarifiers, bag filters, cartridge filters, and media filters. The adsorption technologies include zeolite, activated carbon and resin media for removing dissolved contaminants. The chemical treatment systems typically include pH adjustment, coagulant addition and polymer addition systems. Service to the industry includes sharing knowledge about OSSF treatment systems. Water management is critical to meeting water needs into the future. All water is needed including used water. We do not have “waste” water. Our water is available for treatment and use regardless of the source and use.

SPEAKER & SESSION OVERVIEWS

One Water in Action: Productions Numbers from Texas’ first One Water School

Built to be “the first One Water school in Texas”, Wimberley Independent School District’s newest campus—Blue Hole Primary—was designed and constructed with strong support from Texas State’s Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, and a community of stakeholders, educators, architects, and engineers. One Water is an intentionally integrated approach to water that promotes the management of all water—drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, greywater— as a single resource. In an area where water supplies are limited and drought-prone, Blue Hole Primary serves the growing Hill Country communities of Wimberley and Woodcreek with one of the most water efficient and cost-effective approaches ever envisioned for a school campus in Texas. This case study documents the need for innovative water solutions, Bond and investment decisions, incorporated design elements, construction, and first year performance of Blue Hole Primary to serve as a reference, inspiration, and guidance for future projects.

Speaker for above topic: Nick Dornak, M.S.

A 5th generation Texan with a B.S. in Agricultural Development from Texas A&M University and a M.S. in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management from the University of Wyoming. Nick has worked with stakeholders in watershed protection and water conservation over a 20-year career that has included stops in state government, academic institutions, and now in the private sector. In addition to his work advancing green infrastructure and One Water projects for Doucet and Associates, Inc., Nick currently serves as President for Friends of the Brazos River and is a longtime board member of the Texas Rivers Protection Association. Nick lives in Wimberley, TX.

Understanding Convenience Store and Truck Stop Wastewater

Convenience store and truck stop wastewater is high strength and conventional systems are rarely a good option but are often utilized. This presentation will look at the challenges of the wastewater stream and offer some examples of wastewater influent and treatment trains that can provide long-lasting solutions.

Evaluating the Site, Scope of Work, and Installation Suggestions for Long Term Sustainability of Commercial Systems

Commercial wastewater treatment systems vary from a simple septic tank and drainfield to more complicated systems with multiple tanks/connections and mechanical operations. This presentation will define and discuss the scope of work and site evaluation, list some critical installation points of more complex systems, and discuss ways to avoid issues that could cause performance and maintenance issues in the field.

Speaker for above topics: Allison Blodig, REHS

Allison has been in the onsite and decentralized wastewater treatment industry since 1997 and has spent most of her career in the manufacturing industry. She is a biologist and Wastewater Treatment System Specialist working for Infiltrator Water Technologies, a leading onsite treatment product manufacturer. Allison is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist with the National Environmental Health Association and is the current President of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association – the largest organization in the United States dedicated to representing the onsite and decentralized wastewater industry.

Design Basics Not Minimums

The attendee should gain an understanding of the design basics and recognize when minimum rules do not meet the basic design needs of the user. Starting with OSSF designs of single-family residence: Septic Tank & Absorptive Drainfield (Standard) through Septic Tank with (Proprietary) or (Non-Standard) disposal systems. Then to OSSF designs of single-family residence: Aerobic Treatment (Proprietary) with Absorptive, E.T., Leaching Chamber and Gravelless Pipe (Standard) Drainfields to Surface Application or Drip Irrigation (Proprietary) disposal systems.

SPEAKER & SESSION OVERVIEWS

continued from page 11

Graywater & OSSF

Graywater and OSSF rules have changed over the years to meet the needs of Texans. This discussion will provide the attendee an overview of available technologies and methods to meet the property owners reuse needs and meet the Chapters §285.80 Disposal of Graywater and §285.81. Requirements and Conditions for Potentially Reducing the Size of an OSSF Disposal System for a Single-Family Residence with a Graywater Reuse System or a Combined Reuse System.

Speaker for above topics: James Prochaska, P.E.

Jim holds and Bachelor’s and Master of Science (Agricultural/Civil Engineering) from Texas A&M University. 1987, Mr. Prochaska began his extensive career in wastewater treatment and effluent reuse. Since that time, he has been responsible for the design and development of projects ranging from 300 gpd to 8 million gpd. His projects have included domestic, municipal and industrial wastewater generators. Since 1994, Mr. Prochaska has devoted the majority of his time towards the development of on-site wastewater treatment and disposal using subsurface drip irrigation. He has worked as a principal designer and reviewer on several of these projects, and has spent even more time training and educating engineers and sanitarians on how to design on-site systems. He has taken this technology to domestic, agricultural and food processing wastewater generators as an environmentally sound means of wastewater treatment and dispersal. Currently he is active throughout the United States in developing the onsite wastewater industry and the use of subsurface drip dispersal methods. Mr. Prochaska provides leadership and guidance in his principal role as President of JNM Technologies, Inc. In this capacity he along with his staff have developed and refined the most modern and effective methods used for wastewater effluent dispersal using subsurface drip irrigation. Under his leadership, the company has developed an extensive line of equipment including patented filtration processes, system controllers, installation methods and design aides. The equipment and applications range from single family homes to large, non-sewered communities.

High Strength OSSF Design & Ch. 285 Rules

This presentation will go over the 285 rules as related to high strength design. Emphasis will be placed on determining what is defined as high strength, as well as design requirements and best design practices for such systems, and how designing to State minimums is often problematic.

AA Review of HS Design

This presentation will discuss AA handling of HS design intake, proper procedures for review of such designs, and how requirements of Table IX in 30 TAC 285.91 apply to adherence to TCEQ rules for designer professional qualifications, as well as proper design data for use in the design.

Speaker for above topics: David Price, P.E.

David Price, PE is a Registered Professional Engineer. He is a current Board Member of TOWA, and the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association. He is a former Commissioner for the City of Austin Water and Wastewater Commission. He has designed, constructed, and operated systems up to 150,000 gpd, but does work primarily under 285 rules on commercial systems to 5000 gpd.

Enforcement Policies & Procedures for AA’s

The Comal County Engineer’s Office has developed an Environmental Enforcement program that covers several aspects of the Texas Health and Safety Code including Chapter 366, On-Site Sewage Facilities. The program has created a simple, but effective means to seek compliance for raw sewage, public nuisance, litter and OSSF violations within Comal County.

SPEAKER & SESSION OVERVIEWS

Speaker for pevious page topic: Robert Boyd

A Professional Engineer registered in the State of Texas. He has been the Assistant County Engineer for Comal County since 2003 and oversees several of the permitting groups within the Comal County Engineer’s Office including Environmental Health and Environmental Enforcement. He has a degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University Class of 1996.

OSSF Wastewater Streams in Texas RV Parks: Engineering Perspectives and Field Monitoring

The number of Recreational Vehicle (RV) parks catering to short-term campers, long-term seasonal visitors, and full-time residents in Texas has increased dramatically in recent years for a variety of reasons. In response to changes in RV park patronage, park operators now offer amenities far beyond simple dump stations and toilets. Texas A&M Agrilife Research contracted with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to monitor and characterize RV park wastewater streams (i.e., flows, biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, etc.) associated with different PV park amenity arrangements and patron stay-lengths. AgriLife is partnering with Williamson County engineers to locate and access RV park OSSF waste streams feasible for monitoring. This dual presentation will describe RV park OSSF issues from an engineering/permitting perspective and provide an update on in-progress AgriLife field monitoring activities.

Speaker for above topic: June Wolfe III - Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Temple, TX

Dr. June Wolfe is a Research Scientist with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and has more than 35 years of service at the Blackland Research and Extension Center (BREC) in Temple, Texas where he directs the Water Science Laboratory. The lab conducts basic scientific research involving plant-soil-water interactions and performs water quality assessments related to applied environmental topics. He has been a member of the Texas A&M OSSF Research Team for the past 6 years investigating various OSSF research topics. He currently manages two research projects funded through Texas’s OSSF grant program related to real-world data collection characterizing RV park wastewater streams and domestic and non-domestic ATU designs.

Speaker for above topic:

Roger Hickman - Williamson County Engineering, Georgetown, TX

Mr. Roger Hickman is a Civil Engineer with Williamson County. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Colorado State University and a Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering From Texas Tech University. Mr. Hickman is a Registered Professional Engineer here in Texas with over 20 years of experience in water management including more than 8 years in On-Site Sewage Treatment systems. He currently manages the Williamson County OSSF permitting and compliance program and directs a large team of engineers and technicians. Mr. Hickman and his team are collaborating with Texas A&M AgriLife Research to collect real-world data associated with RV park wastewater and ATU designs.

AgriLife OSSF Research Updates

Passage of House Bill 2771 in 2017 required Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to reinstate the On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) research grant program using revenue generated from the $10 permit fee, as originally intended. The new Texas On-Site Sewage Facility Grant Program (TOGP) issued its first request for grant applications in February 2019 addressing four research topics. AgriLife submitted three proposals that were selected for funding and secured the entire TOGP 2019 research project budget. Two topics (ATU high strength and ATU dosing) were combined into one project performed by AgriLife Research while the other two topics (LPD and REUSE) were conducted by AgriLife Extension. Following project completions, the AgriLife OSSF Research Team reports were submitted to TCEQ in 2021 and overall conclusions were informative and useful to Texas OSSF professionals and TCEQ officials. In 2021, the TOGP issued its second call for proposals and once again AgriLife was awarded the entire budget to address

SPEAKER & SESSION OVERVIEWS

continued from page 13

research needs for the 2021-2023 grant cycle. Two topics (RV parks and Aerobic Treatment Units) were again combined into one project carried out by AgriLife Research (RV-ATU) while the other two topics related to drip irrigation (DRIP) and effluent reduction (E-FLOW) topics are being conducted by AgriLife Extension. This presentation will summarize the results from the 2021 reports, provide an update on the current E-FLOW project, and explain how to access information related to all TOGP research projects conducted by AgriLife from the Texas A&M University OSSF website.

Speaker for above topic: Dr. Anish Jantrania, P.E., Associate Professor/Extension Specialist in the Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department at Texas A&M University, Texas. Dr. Jantrania has over 30 years of experience in wastewater public and private sectors with a focus on On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF/septic systems) and decentralized water and wastewater systems. His research and extension interests focus on sustainable infrastructure to ensure the availability of clean water to meet societal demands and ensure safe sanitation protecting both public health and environmental quality. Dr. Jantrania has held professional positions in Virginia, Massachusetts, and West Virginia, and has studied in West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, and India. His work in Texas focuses on developing a statewide extension, education, and research program related to surface and groundwater quality protection with specific emphasis on non-point sources, OSSF, and emerging environmental issues. Dr. Jantrania directs the Texas A&M University OSSF Research Center located on the RELLIS Campus in Bryan and leads the Texas A&M OSSF Research Team. He currently heads a new research project funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Onsite Grant Program investigating alternative onsite effluent disposal systems involving wetland plant cultivation under controlled greenhouse conditions.

Drip Irrigation System Research Update

Drip irrigation provides precise application and allows for improved use of the application area. Because of this, its use in OSSF installations is increasing in Texas in direct response to issues such as limited space and challenging site conditions. However, there is a lack of standard procedures needed by designers, installers, and maintenance providers such that OSSF professionals have frequently observed problems. There is great potential for improving drip irrigation system performance in OSSF installations, especially in terms of effluent distribution uniformity and maintenance. Drip irrigation systems are quite common in central Texas; demonstrated success in this region would encourage application in other parts of the state.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has contracted with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to gather and summarize information from surveys, existing literature, and field experimentation with focus on aspects specific to Texas conditions (i.e., dosing technique, application rate, effect of soil type, installation configuration, flushing method, filtering type and method, and tubing cleaning). This much-needed compilation will provide guidance document supporting license holders, regulators, and landowners for successfully implementing drip irrigation systems. It will also identify gaps in current regulations and aid TCEQ regarding potential rule or policy changes. This presentation will provide an update on project monitoring activities and preliminary results.

Speaker for above topic: Dr. Gabriele Bonaiti Extension Program Specialist and has been employed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension since February 2009. During this time, he has developed and implemented educational programs for water districts focusing on water conservation and efficiency through irrigation scheduling, identification of head and seepage issues in open canals, soil water balance and quality modeling, data management, and use of Geographic Information Systems. He is currently supporting Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s - Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendment projects by developing and implementing methodologies for building and maintaining an inventory of On-Site Sewage Facility systems along the Texas coastal zone and the Lampasas River Watershed, and Texas General Land Office’s Coastal Management Program projects to identify history and potential drivers of coastal bacterial pollution. He also leads a research project funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Onsite Grant Program to evaluate onsite effluent Drip Irrigation system design, installation, and management.

TOWA 2023

NC Pipe has served the Texas Gulf Coast and Greater Houston areas since 1998. Our team strives to deliver first rate service and precast products of the highest possible quality. Our NPCA Certified Plant holds approvals in many municipalities and counties statewide giving us the ability to provide a great experience for most Texas based clients.

We specialize in underground utility precast products for wastewater, storm water and OSSF (septic) including the following products:

Sanitary and Storm Manholes

Junction Boxes

Grate Inlets

Grease Interceptors

Sand/Lint Traps

Safety End Treatments

Agricultural Products

We also offer a full line of Septic Tanks, Aerobic Treatment Plants and related OSSF components capable of fulfilling the needs of any project. High quality products combined with our team’s full product support, engineering and CAD drafting capabilities make N.C. Pipe the perfect partner for any size project.

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TOWA 2022 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Applications for TOWA scholarships available online or at registration desk. 2023 scholarships will be awarded June 2023.

Please join with us in congratulating the winners of TOWA Scholarships!

SAVANNAH REEDER

General Scholastic Scholar - $4000

Currently, I’m finishing up my last semester of college. I’m student teaching at Nacogdoches High School in a biology classroom. Additionally, I’m graduating in May with a B.S. in Biology. I will be furthering my education at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor studying education administration for my master’s degree. I will begin my first year of teaching in August.

MIA AGUIRRE

Seneral Scholastic Scholar - $2500

I am a second semester Junior at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. College of the Ozarks is unique because its students work on campus for their tuition and is therefore called “Hard Work U”. My job on campus is at the Daycare. I am a Child Studies major with a minor in Family Studies and Social Services. After this semester, I will have one more year at College of the Ozarks. After I receive my bachelor’s degree, it is my hope to get my master’s at a college in the south in either Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Social Work.

Jordan Carranza

General Scholastic Scholar - $2500

Home College Station, Texas Attending University of North Texas Studies – Visual Arts

I just got accepted into Aspen University’s BSN program, and I’m super excited to start nursing school this fall semester. I plan on achieving a masters degree after I get my BSN, so that I can live out my dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. I am still maintaining my high GPA and will continue to push myself towards success. I am extremely grateful for this scholarship in helping advance my education. Thank you TOWA for your generosity so that I may continue to pursue my career.

TOWA FUNDRAISERS FOR SCHOLARSHIP

FUND

Raffle, Silent Auction, 50-50 Drawing and Roe-D-Hoe Contest all support the TOWA Scholarships.

Drawing during Tuesday Member Meeting and Reception in Hall. Must be present to win or pick up items!

**EXHIBIT HALL BY THE OVERHEAD DOOR**

SIGN UP AT CONTEST AREA. PROCEEDS SUPPORT THE TOWA SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS!

Open to compete Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm. Compete during each break, lunch or 5pm-5:30pm reception.

FINALS round will be held 5:45pm-6:30pm.

Champion - Buckle, Bragging rights & cash prizes

2nd & 3rd - Trophies and cash prizes

SPONSOR: PARTNERS:

www.construction-edge.com www.txowa.org www.ncpipe.com

OTHER TOWA OFFERINGS

TOWA OFFERS TRAINING COURSES:

BASIC & ADVANCED MAINTENANCE PROVIDER

BMP Courses and AMP Courses are approved by TCEQ and will earn 16 CEU hours towards all OSSF Licenses. If you only need 8 CEU hours the first day of either course may be taken. Both courses are two days and meet 8am-5pm each day. Space is limited and most classes do sell out. To register for these courses, go to www.txowa.org and DOWNLOAD form or register online. The downloadable form can be scanned, faxed or mailed.

Both class are held in San Marcos, TX.

Embassy Suites San Marcos – Hotel & Conference Center 1001 E. McCarty Lane, San Marcos, TX 78666

2023 BMP CLASS SCHEDULE

• April 28-29, 2023

• July 20-21, 2023

• August 25-26, 2023

• September 22-23, 2023

• October 27-28, 2023

• December 13-14, 2023

2023 AMP CLASS SCHEDULE

• May 12-13, 2023

• July 28-29, 2023

• December 4-5, 2023

Engineered For Performance

• Two center structural columns offer increased stability and superior strength

• Advanced contouring connections

• Latching mechanism allows for quick installation

• Four-foot chamber lengths are easy to handle and install

• Supports wheel loads of 16,000 lbs/axle with 12” of cover

• Always clean and free of fines

• Quick to install, saving costs on heavy machinery and labor

• Engineered for optimal storage and absorption efficiencies

• Flexible to contour along sloped sites and around trees or landscaping

• Lightweight system is perfect for repairs and tight job sites

• Easily hand-carried into position reducing time and labor

Click and Lock Riser Technology

• Strong injection molded polypropylene construction

• Lightweight plastic construction and inboard lifting lugs allow for easy delivery and handling

• Structurally reinforced access ports eliminate distortion during installation and pump-outs

• Reinforced structural ribbing and fiberglass bulkheads offer additional strength

• Can be installed with 6” to 48” of cover

SNAP

Create an easy-to-assemble watertight riser system for septic tanks, pump tanks, and cisterns. Click and lock system eliminates the need for assembly tools.

• Easy to Assemble

• No Tools or Adhesive

• Watertight – Gasketed Connection

• Nest Together for Efficient Shipping

• Available in 2, 6 and 12 Inch Heights

• Strong, Durable, Polypropylene Construction

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Special Thanks to Our Corporate Sponsors for their Year-Round Support of the Texas On-Site Wastewater Association.

DIAMOND SPONSORS:

Aeris Aerobics

Block Creek Concrete Products

Ecological Tanks Inc

Infiltrator Water Technologies

NC Pipe Precast Products

NuWater

GOLD SPONSORS:

American Tank Company

HiBlow USA

Waste Management Tracker

SILVER SPONSORS:

Advanced Drainage Systems

Austin Pump & Supply Co

Aquafit Chlorination Systems LLC

Clearstream Wastewater Systems Inc.

Del Zotto Products

Hoot Systems LLC

Jet Inc.

JNM Technologies, Inc.

Pro Flo Aerobic Systems

Solar Aerobic Systems LLC

Wholesale Pump & Supply, Inc