A newsletter dedicated to Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention www.abpa-sa.org

October Vol. 26 Issue 10

Sewage Flood Chases Kids From California Classrooms

Sewage problems chased students out of the classroom at a California elementary school last week, a sign of growing wastewater infrastructure challenges across the state that have made school operations difficult in many counties.

“As California schools age, maintenance and repairs become more important to their mission of delivering an education. An increasing amount of schools are forced to put off maintenance and repairs as little problems turn into bigger ones. Bigger is always more expensive,” KTVU reported.

So-called “flushable” wipes, a thorn in the side of wastewater industry pros who say the material clogs up the sewer system, were part of the problem at Westlake School last week. Sewage systems with aging infrastructure have long struggled with "ragging," according to The Washington Post.

"What we had was a situation of excessive paper towels being flushed down the toilet, feminine hygiene products and flushable toilet wipes which we are learning are not really flushable. Do we need to replace our sewage pipes to accommodate some of the things that are commonly flushed down the toilet today?" said Superintendent Bernie Vidales of the Jefferson Elementary School District, per KTVU. "We've had situations at school sites where roots have gone into our sewage pipes and we've had to replace whole sections.”

An aging wastewater infrastructure system means problems crop up frequently at institutions that are aging themselves. Funding is the crux of the problem. On the whole, the U.S. needs $271 billion to upgrade and maintain its wastewater infrastructure over the next five years, according to a U.S. EPA survey released in January. A 2012 report from the American Society of Civil Engineers found that the annual investment needed to raise California’s wastewater infrastructure grade “from a ‘C+’ to a ‘B’ is $4.5 billion annually for the next 10 years.”

Meanwhile, about 80 percent of California public school students go to schools that cannot meet minimum spending standards for infrastructure, according to UC Berkeley's Center for Schools and Cities, per KTVU.

"We certainly do not have enough money to be able to fund an adequate education for our students, not to mention being able to take care of our infrastructure and building needs," Vidales said.

At Westlake School, plumbing crews spent the day unclogging the sewer system and disinfecting bathrooms, according to NBC News Bay Area.

“Classes at Westlake School were canceled due to an emergency situation with the school's sewer system affecting all school bathroom facilities and an inability to get portable facilities in time for school,” the school said in a statement. “To preserve student and staff safety, school was canceled only for Tuesday, August 30.”

Vidales explained the decision to cancel class, per NBC: "We couldn't have student and staff come to school and not have any facilities for them to use," he said. "Anytime we need to cancel school it's a big inconvenience, not just for our staff, but our students. It's a day lost for learning and the routine. We took it very seriously."

By Sara Jerome Water Online

“The Solution to Cross Connection Control is NOT dilution”

October Meeting Details Meetings of the San Antonio Chapter ABPA are usually held the second Thursday of every month except December. Dinner and refreshments are served at 6:00 p.m. sharp with the meeting starting at 6:30. The next meeting is: Date: Thursday, October 13, 2016 Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: SAWS Bldg 2 Conference Room 2800 US Hwy 281 North. Program: Apollo / Pepco Sales – Brittany

Moreland Meal: Apollo / Pepco Sales

No alcoholic beverages allowed by

TCEQ Next Meeting: November 10, 2016

Meeting October Agenda 5:00 p.m. Room setup 5:15 p.m. General discussion with membership in

attendance. 5:16 p.m. Continue discussion with members present

about any topic of interest. 5:20 p.m. Continue discussion with members present

about any topic of interest. 5:25 p.m. Supply Officer’s Report 5:30 p.m. Vice President’s, Directors, and any other

reports for the good of the chapter. Comments, new business, any discussion.

5:40 p.m. Training Report. Training & Meal Sponsors 5:45 p.m. Webmaster Report 5:50 p.m. President’s Report. New & old business 6:00 p.m. Meal is served. 6:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting

1. Gauges to be tested. Bill Hamrick-Carl Michaud 2. First time attendees or visitors (get w/Jeff

Hoffman for membership) 3. Irrigator’s Report. Ron Renouf 4. Anything from the Directors Meeting. Troy Baird 5. Election of Officers & Directors in October 6. City, regional, and national reports. Bruce

Rathburn and any City personnel present 7. Supply Officer Report. Troy Baird 8. Training program for the evening. 9. Raffle prize announcement.

Ongoing Goals of ABPA-SA Chapter

1. Educational Outreach with public by

presenting at PHCC meetings, engineering firms, schools, and neighborhood associations. Continuing goal.

2. Greater use of TCEQ website. Tracking of CEUs, Services available. Personal education.

3. Increase member awareness of importance of chapter meetings. Increase attendance and public awareness.

4. Increase website resource information. More detailed links to more information like TCEQ, COSA, and any place that would be helpful to our members

Big Thanks to

Bac-Flo Unlimited for sponsoringour meal and for Troy providing the training session on backflow preventer repairs including installation problems and solutions. Bac-Flo Unlimited for donating a sight tube and delux bleed-off valve for the raffle drawing.

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"Direct Talk" by the President

As the Region 4 Director, I attended the Fall National board meeting in Las Vegas on September 25th. Some good things are happening at the national level. An intense strategic plan has been implemented under the new management’s direction and some past projects, important to our future, are getting back on track. Many others and I are looking forward to next year’s Conference coming back to San Antonio on April 3 – 5, 2017. I just realized my term as President is ending at the beginning of the October meeting. Time sure goes fast when you’re having fun. There’s no other organization I’d rather be a part of. Other than our great guys, this is the only organization that combines all water-related fields, from fire, water, plumbing, irrigation, and enforcement. Here is a good website for emergency information: www.sanantonio.gov/emergency/ Check it out.

Troy Baird Chapter Chatter by Greg Shean, Secretary The 30th San Antonio Home and Garden Show. The event is held semiannually (twice a year for those who don’t understand semiannually), at the Alamodome, from Friday, September 30th to Sunday October 2nd. First impression was how full the parking lot was with folks coming in and going out at 1 pm. Inside, it was crowded. This is serious business for those vendors who paid a premium price to talk and sell their products to people who are there because they are interested. It must be worth the price. Our booth was in aisle 200, which is one over from the food aisle 100 and just down from the food court. Aisle 200 has a lot of kitchen booths. Myself, a minor irrigator, and John Hadden, a master plumber, had the 1 to 7 pm Saturday shift. Bill Hamrick’s irrigation-drinking fountain display caused folks to slow down to figure it out. The kids were really interested in it because there was nothing like it. “How does the dog get so much water?” “Is the girl drinking tea?” They petted the dog but didn’t touch the girl. The parents were reeled in to explain things. We naturally helped. John and I took turns roaming around. From our observations, we were the only booth not selling anything (education is considered free). Folks were not only interested in backflows, but also irrigation audits and plumbing. John handled the plumbing. I could have added a half dozen jobs. The same for John. However, neither of us needed the work so we gave them the Bac-Flo Unlimited brochure. It’s not like you can wear a company shirt and hand out cards in the aisle (remember, we’re nonprofit) but if they ask – give them a card. Remember, this is a home improvement show – not an apartment improvement show. Our chapter’s reputation is on the line, so be professional. It is best to have a plumber and an irrigator work the booth. Time goes fast. People are interested and look to you for help. If you don’t participate – you are missing a great opportunity to provide immediate help to an un-experienced potential customer, increasing the credibility of your profession, and contributing to your chapter’s education goal. All this was made so much easier because we had something to slow down traffic. We couldn’t rely on our dashing good looks. It was Bill Hamrick’s talent and hard work along with Jeff Hoffman’s persuasion that lead to a great display. It easily stopped the walkers to where we could ask them if they had an irrigation system, about their backflow, irrigation problems, and plumbing problems. They didn’t have a chance to ignore us and speed up. Thank you so much Bill for what you do for backflow and the chapter. 3

The October meeting will start with the election of Officers and the Board of Directors for 2016 - 21017

ABPA-SA Board of Directors

2016 - 2017 1) President –Brad Harrell 2) Vice President – Bill Hamrick 3) Immediate Past President – Troy Baird 4) Treasurer – Jeff Hoffman 5) Secretary – Greg Shean

Special Officers to the Association

6) SGT-AT-ARMS –Jeff Meeks 7) Liaison to SAWS – Bruce Rathburn 8) Supply Officer – Troy Baird 9) Gauge Testing and Certification – Carl Michaud

Special Officer to Gauge T&C: Bill Hamrick 10) Public Relations/ Speakers/ Program Topics – Manny Hernandez 11) Webmaster – Matthew Wilgen

Directors at Large

Two-year term

1. Fred Baird 2. James Franco 3. Robert Stricker

One year term remaining

4. Gene Hinojosa 5. Ron Renouf 6. Frank Snyder

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MINUTES SAN ANTONIO CHAPTER-ABPA

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2016

Troy Baird, president, presided over and opened the San Antonio Chapter-ABPA Board of Directors meeting starting at 6:34 pm, in the Tower 2 Conference Room at HQ SAWS

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS - PRESENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS - ABSENT Troy Baird – President Bruce Rathburn – Vice President Greg Shean – Secretary Jeff Hoffman –Treasurer & Past President

OFFICERS SPECIAL TO THE CHAPTER - PRESENT

OFFICERS SPECIAL TO THE CHAPTER - ABSENT

Bill Hamrick – Gauge Testing & Certification Carl Michaud - Special Officer to Gauge Testing and Certification

Troy Baird - Supply Officer Jeff Meeks - Sgt. At Arms Manny Hernandez – Public Relations/ Speakers/ Program Topics

Matthew Wilgen – Webmaster

DIRECTORS AT LARGE - PRESENT DIRECTORS AT LARGE - ABSENT Brad Harrell Ron Renouf James Franco Carl Michaud Gene Hinojosa Frank Snyder Fred Baird Robert Stricker GUESTS PRESENT: None

Agenda Item #1. Introduction: Troy reviewed several future events that the chapter will be participating. More information will follow. INFO Agenda Item #2. Secretary’s Report: The August General Meeting minutes were in the September newsletter. There were no corrections. Robert moved to accept the minutes. Seconded and passed. INFO. Agenda Item #3. Supply Officer Report: Troy reported that he sold three caps. No change in other items. Troy said he has 100 caps, 15 shirts, 7 jackets, and 229 decals. Decals are now free. INFO. Agenda Item #4. Training Report: Bac-Flo Unlimited will provide the training with more real world examples of problem backflow installations. INFO.

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Agenda Item #5. Meal Sponsor: Meal Sponsor: Bac-Flo Unlimited is sponsoring the meal of chicken fried steak and gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, tea, and cookies. Troy will get menu for meal selection. INFO. Agenda Item #6. Raffle Sponsor: Bac-Flo Unlimited donated a sight tube and a deluxe bleed valve. Troy asked that the members ask for donations from their supply house for the November raffle. INFO. Agenda Item #7. Nominating Committee: Troy introduced Carl as the committee chair. Carl introduced Ron Renouf and Jeff Hoffman as the members. Carl introduced the committee’s nominations for the following offices: President - Brad Harrell; Immediate Past President - Troy Baird; Vice President- Bill Hamrick; Treasurer – Jeff Hoffman; Secretary – Greg Shean; Liaison to SAWS – Bruce Rathburn; Directors for two year terms: Fred Baird, Robert Stricker, and James Franco. Directors for one-year terms: Ron Renouf, Gene Hinojosa, and Frank Snyder. Agenda Item #8. ABPA 2017 Education Conference and Trade Show. The show will be in San Antonio from April 3 to 5. Troy said more information after the ABPA Western Regional Backflow Conference in Las Vegas on September 26th and 27th. Agenda Item #9. SAIA 4th Annual South Texas Irrigation & Landscape Expo (STILE): Troy said that we will participate again in the January 28th event. INFO. Agenda Item #10. Backflow Incidents. Fred said that all incidents must be reported. The data is necessary to show that a cross connection program is necessary. INFO. Agenda Item #11. Backflow Issues. There was an open discussion on atmospheric vacuum breakers on soap dispensers under constant pressure. There must be a spill resistant vacuum breaker in this application. INFO. Agenda Item #12. Website: Troy floated the idea of a membership directory on the website in case you need to contact another tester. Bill will put together a questionnaire on the options on what you want to publish on the list. OPEN. Agenda Item #13. Region 4 Report. Troy said that the ABPA Western Regional Conference will be Las Vegas on September 26th and 27th. The board meetings will be on Friday and Saturday. Troy will be attending. INFO. Agenda Item #14. Irrigation Report: Fred reported that the TCEQ is still working on Irrigation Position Statement regarding Backflow protection. Fred expects that backflows will be designated as a high hazard at state level sometime in the future. Fred added that the backflow strainer in front of a double check assembly should be eliminated sometime in the near future. INFO. Agenda Item #15. The Hands on Training, September 7th. Troy reported that 38 attended the hands-on refresher training. INFO. Agenda Item #16. Home and Garden Show. Troy said that much of our display will be the same as last year. Bill’s irrigation sprinkler cross connection display will replace the TV backflow incident presentation from last year’s show. Troy encouraged members to signup on the work list for the garden show. INFO.

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Agenda Item #17. Chapter Fishing Trip: Fred reported that 12 have signed up. Troy said it will be from October 7th to 9th at the Cast n’ Stay at Baffin Bay. Ron said there is a dove hunt close by. Menu is in the August newsletter. Troy has the sign-up sheet. www.baffinbaytx.com/castnstay INFO. Agenda Item #18. Nightmare of the Year Award: Troy reported that he has received another entry and that Robert has competition. INFO. Agenda Item #19. Training: Troy had pictures on the big screen of several backflow installations leading to discussions of hazards, problems, and solutions. All slides were different than Bruce Rathburn’s presentation. The comments about the presentation of more than 20 slides will be an article for the November newsletter. It was moved the meeting be adjourned. Seconded and passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 for the raffle.

Greg Shean Secretary ABPA San Antonio Chapter

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ABPA-SA Board of Directors

Executive Officers

2015 - 2016

1) President –Troy Baird 2) Vice President – Bruce Rathburn 3) Immediate Past President – Jeff Hoffman 4) Treasurer – Jeff Hoffman 5) Secretary – Greg Shean

Special Officers to the Association

6) SGT-AT-ARMS –Jeff Meeks 7) Supply Officer – Troy Baird 8) Gauge Testing and Certification – Bill Hamrick,

Special Officer to Gauge Testing and Certification: Carl Michaud. 9) Public Relations/ Speakers/ Program Topics – Manny Hernandez 10) Webmaster – Matthew Wilgen 11) Policies and Procedures – Frank Snyder

Directors at Large

Two-year term

2) Frank Snyder 3) Gene Hinojosa 4) Brad Harrell 5) Ron Renouf

One year term remaining

6) Fred Baird 7) James Franco 8) Robert Stricker

NOTICE: New Mail Address: ABPA-SA - P.O. Box 47820 - San Antonio, TX 78265

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(*Buy the popular ‘BAC-FLO-5’ test kit, see course schedule, and much more on our website. For gauge certifications, call 210-698-0411 for weekly test times in Boerne, TX!)

“The Direct Connection” is published monthly and may be obtained from the www.abpa-sa.org website. Opinions or facts within “The Direct Connection” are not necessarily representative ofthe opinions of the American Backflow Prevention Association and may or may not represent an official policy. Additionally, the opinions or facts of contributors or advertisers may or may not represent an official policy. Published by the ABPA-SA Chapter Editor: Bill Hamrick Assistant Editor: Bruce Rathburn Additional Editors: The entire Membership For further information about ABPA, contact: Bruce Rathburn 2800 US Hwy 281 North San Antonio, TX 78212

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Thanks to our ABPA-SA Sponsors

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800-575-9618

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OCTOBER 2016

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APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

US Membership $65 International Membership $79

Sustaining Membership $300.00 New Member

Renewal - Member #______________ To join the American Backflow Prevention Association, simply fill out the membership application form and mail it with your check to the address listed below, or if paying by credit card you may fax the completed form to 979.846.7607. Local chapters have additional fees. Below is a listing of chapters by region. To find out if there is a local chapter in your area, please review the chapter information on our website at abpa.org or call the National Office at 979.846.7606. Membership in the Association constitutes paying National dues.

Sustaining Member: • Must be a company or organization • Assign only one person as the member of ABPA • A Sustaining Member must submit a letter that

designates their Voting Representative.

Please Print Legibly or Type

Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc First Name MI Last Name (Include suffix)

Organization (Agency/Firm) Department/Division Title

Address:

City: State / Prov Zip + 4 Code/Postal Code Country

Daytime Phone Fax Email

ABPA-SA $ 60.00 Local Chapter (if joining a local chapter) Local Dues Amount

Method of Payment

Charge $ 125.00 to my Visa MasterCard American Express Discover Check Money Order Invoice Me

Credit Card Number Card Expires (MM/YYYY) CVC Number

Name as it appears on card Signature

Additional Information How would you like to receive your Membership Renewal Invoice Notification? Email US Mail (Not available for International Membership)

Local Chapter Dues Listed by Region

REGION 1 New England Rhode Island

REGION 2 Virginia

REGION 3 Carolinas Florida Suncoast Peach State “1788” Tennessee

REGION 4 Arkansas Central Texas Corpus Christi Lower Rio Grande Valley North Texas San Antonio

$12.00 18.00

$25.00

$10.00 12.00 30.00 20.00

$10.00 20.00 23.00 25.00 23.0060.00

REGION 5 Colorado Southeastern Colorado Utah

REGION 6 Arizona Central Coast Central Valley California Hawaii Silver State Southern California

REGION 7 Big Sky Idaho Oregon SRC4

REGION 8 (USD) BCBPA (British Columbia)

$15.00 15.00 12.00

$20.00 10.00 10.00 23.00 23.00 15.00

$10.00 10.00 20.00 20.00

$26.00

REGION 9 (USD) Ontario REGION 10 Wisconsin

REGION 11 Indiana Indiana BPA Michigan Northern Illinois Ohio

REGION 12 Central Missouri Eastern Nebraska Heart of America Panhandle Western Nebraska

$50.00

$10.00

$ 5.00 25.00 40.00 23.00 10.00

$20.00 10.00 12.00 5.00 8.00

Please make checks payable to: ABPA 342 N. Main Street, West Hartford CT 06117979.846.7606 . Fax: 979.846.7607 Email: membership@abpa.org

06.2016

ABPA-S.A. Chapter P.O. Box 47820 San Antonio, TX 78265