Area-Wide Optimization Program
One of the initiatives of the Center for Drinking Water Optimization is the Area-Wide Optimization Program (AWOP). Through this effort, the Center is developing and demonstrating an optimization framework in partnership with primacy agencies on a statewide and regional basis. Through its success and lessons learned, the AWOP initiative provides a model for implementation of Capacity Development strategies.
The optimization framework is founded on the Composite Correction Program (CCP). The CCP approach identifies and addresses performance limitations at an individual facility in order to obtain improved performance. The Comprehensive Performance Evaluation (CPE) phase is a thorough review and analysis of a facility's design capabilities and associated administrative, operational, and maintenance practices as they relate to achieving optimum performance from the facility. A primary objective is to determine if significant improvements in treatment performance can be achieved without major capital expenditures. The CPE is a valuable tool for assisting states in determining the relative risk and priority of their surface water systems.
The CCP methodology was originally developed through a collaboration of USEPA Technical Support Center personnel and staff of Process Applications, Inc. for optimization of wastewater treatment plants. In response to the Surface Water Treatment Rule, the CCP was modified in the early 1990's to assist surface water utilities in providing protection against microbial contamination. Total System Optimization utilizes the CCP approach, but extends the water quality objectives beyond microbial contaminants.
The phase that follows the CPE is called Comprehensive Technical Assistance (CTA). The CTA addresses the performance limitations identified in the CPE. By design, the CTA is plant-specific. A new initiative seeks to improve plant performance by training staff from numerous plants concurrently. That approach is called Performance-Based Training (PBT).
For more information, contact: The following optimization materials can be ordered.
Handbook: Optimizing Water Treatment Plant Performance Using the Composite Correction Program - 1998 Edition EPA/625/6-91/027
Training CD: Introduction to Comprehensive Performance Evaluations - EPA/625/C-01/011
The Composite Correction Program (CCP) has been developed and demonstrated as a method of optimizing surface water treatment plant performance to enhance public health protection from microbial pathogens. It focuses on effective use of the existing water treatment processes as barriers against passage of particles to the finished water. It consists of two components - a Comprehensive Performance Evaluation (CPE) followed by Comprehensive Technical Assistance (CTA). A CPE is conducted to identify the factors limiting treatment plant performance. A CTA is the performance improvement phase that can be implemented to address the performance limiting factors identified by the CPE. The handbook and training CD reflect the experience gained from over 70 CPEs and 9 CTAs. In addition, seven state pilot programs have provided the basis for the concept of area-wide application of the CCP, which is also described.
The handbook and training CD will be useful to treatment plant operations and administrative personnel, consultants, technical assistance providers and State and local officials interested in fostering water treatment plant performance improvement. You may order copies of these materials by contacting the National Service Center for Environmental Publications at (800) 490-9198.
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Optimization assessment software has been developed as a tool for tracking and managing water treatment plant performance and observing long-term trends in performance. Using the Turbidity Spreadsheet, it is possible to generate turbidity profiles for raw water, maximum settled water, and maximum and combined filtered water. The software will also calculate annual averages for each of those parameters, as well as 95th percentile values and percent of values meeting optimization goals. The software will generate graphs of percent of settled water values below 3, 2, and 1 NTU, plus the 95th percentile, as well as the percent of filtered water values below 0.3, 0.2, and 0.1 NTU, plus 95th percentile, for a year. The Long-Term Trend Spreadsheet allows pasting of three years of data, to generate tables of 95th percentiles and percent of values meeting goals for settled and filtered water. It also graphs these trends over three years. (Note: when using the spreadsheets, select the option of enabling macros when the question arises, which is immediately upon opening the spreadsheets file.)
Jon Bender
USEPA Technical Support Center
26 Martin Luther King Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Phone: (513) 569-7227
Email: Bender.Jon@epa.gov
Turbidity Spreadsheet
Long-Term Trend Spreadsheet
Kentucky Status and Success Story and relevant Charts and Tables
South Carolina Status and Success Story and relevant Charts and Tables
Performance-Based Training
Total System Optimization