Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, Inc. (HSMM) engineers Jonathan Hunt, Marty Watson, and Dan McPherson have been selected to present a paper entitled “Onsite Generation of Sodium Hypochlorite – A Key to Reducing Trihalomethane Concentrations?” at the Water Environmental Federation (WEFTEC.05) conference in Washington, DC this fall.
The use of gaseous chlorine for disinfection poses a number of potential safety issues for drinking water utilities as well as adjacent businesses and neighborhoods. Chlorine leaks can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. At higher levels, exposure to chlorine gas can be lethal and, under certain conditions, chlorine gas can create an explosion hazard. In response to mounting concerns over the safety of the use of gaseous chlorine, HSMM was commissioned by two drinking water utilities, the City of Hickory (N.C.) Water Treatment Plant and the Town of Cheraw (S.C.) Water Treatment Plant, to replace the gaseous chlorine disinfection system at each utility’s water plant with an onsite-generated sodium hypochlorite disinfection system. It was anticipated that not only would the new disinfection systems be far safer to use, but that the formation of trihalomethanes within the distribution would likely be reduced. It was likewise anticipated that the change in disinfection strategy would allow for the maintenance of a better disinfectant residual within the distribution system and a reduction in caustic usage. The paper presents the key results from these projects.
Founded in 1928, the Water Environmental Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with members from varied disciplines who work toward the WEF vision of preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. The WEF network includes water quality professionals from 76 Member Associations in 30 countries.
Jonathan Hunt joined HSMM in 2003 as an environmental engineer. He has a broad background in the process area that includes biological, chemical and physical treatment of water, wastewater, air, and contaminated groundwaters. Currently, Mr. Hunt works on municipal projects involving the design and optimization of water and wastewater treatment systems, environmental site assessments and remediation, stormwater quality, disinfection, sludge handling, industrial pretreatment programs, air permitting, and NPDES permitting. He received both his B.S. in Biochemistry and M.S. in Environmental Engineering and Science degrees from Clemson University. He is the vice-chair of the Pee Dee District of the Water Environment Association of South Carolina. He is also a member of both the Water Environment Federation and the American Water Works Association.
Marty Watson’s background is in the environmental field, including biological, chemical, and physical treatment of water and wastewater. Since joining HSMM in 2004, his responsibilities have included environmental assessments, 201 Facilities Plans, permit applications for land disposal of biosolids, NPDES permit renewal applications, and optimization of disinfection processes for municipal clients. Mr. Watson holds a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Francis Marion University and an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of South Carolina.
Dan McPherson, PE, is a senior project manager with more than 38 years of experience, 29 of these with HSMM. His responsibilities include planning, design, management and implementation of water and wastewater collection/distribution systems, drainage and utilities for municipal clients. Mr. McPherson received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Clemson University, is a registered professional engineer and a registered land surveyor. He is a member of the American Water Works Association.
Source: HSMM, Inc.
