Wednesday August 8, 2012

Time: 8:00 am Registration; 8:30 am - 11:30 am training OR 12:30 pm registration; 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm training
Place: Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort
Agenda
Current Events
speaker: Derek Chambers

Derek Chambers kicked off the session with a quick briefing on the recently completed Lau Lau Bay Drive low water crossing construction project. The project constructed six concrete paved fords on coral roads at points where intermittent streams cross the roads. During heavy rains when these streams (which were normally dry) would flow, that section of road would wash out and would be impassable. But with the completion of this project those areas of the road are now navigable even when the stream is flowing.

(low water crossing on Lau Lau Bay Drive - in action!)
Derek Chambers also provided a quick briefing on the recently started GWUDI study being conducted by CUC. CUC is studying whether or not the ground water wells where they get their water are influenced by conditions on the surface (does heavy rains affect the immediate quality of the well water). This project is expected to take 6 months to 1 year to complete.
(S::CAN monitoring equipment at wellhead)
Individual Wastewater Disposal Systems
speaker: Manny Borja

Manny Borja, environmental engineer with DEQ, explained how DEQ regulates individual wastewater disposal systems. Manny went into detail about how the systems are constructed and how they work to protect the groundwater and the environment.

(a slide from Manny's presentation on IWDS)
WEF Webcast on Membrane Bio-Reactors 

The class listened to (and watched) the first hour of an archived webcast produced by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) entitled "Fundamentals of Membrane Bioreactors: Process Fundamentals." This was a great introduction to the next two presentations which were on MBR plants located on Saipan. The webcast explained how an MBR plant differs from a traditional activated sludge plant, and went into great detail on membranes including what materials they are made from, possible configurations (tube, sheet, of fiber), and how to clean membranes once they foul. The webcast can be found at http://www.wef.org.

Managaha Island MBR Wastewater Treatment Plant 
speaker: Raymond Roquelara

Mr. Raymond Roquelara, the wastewater treatment plant operator for the Managaha island MBR wastewater treatment plant, explained what he has to do to operate this plant. He also showed photos of the various components of the plant and explained the schematic showing how wastewater is processed by the plant. Probably the most interesting thing about this wastewater treatment plant is that the effluent is reused for flushing toilets in the bathroom on the island. The toilets in the bath-house have a separate water plumbing system from the sinks and showers (which both get their water from the reverse-osmosis treatment plant on the island).

(Managaha MBR Wastewater Treatment Plant)
Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort MBR Wastewater Treatment Plant 
speaker: Ruel Magatales

Mr. Ruel Magtalas, facilities engineer for the Lao Lao Bay Resort explained how the MBR wastewater treatment plant for the resort works. He did a very nice job explaining why the de-nitrification tank comes before the nitrification tank (in his words - "how can you de-nitrify something that has not been nitrified yet?"). Mr. Magtalas also asked if anyone had any idea why the pH of his treated effluent would drop to around 6 during the low flow periods of the year. During normal flows the pH is around 7. If you have an idea why - e-mail info@marianasoperators.org and we'll pass that information along to Mr. Magtalas. After his presentation the attendees got a tour of the wastewater treatment plant.

Instructors' Bios

  • Manny Borja (coming soon)
  • Ruel Magatales (coming soon)

PowerPoint Presentations

Certified operators attending this training earned 3 hours of continuing education towards thri certification renewal requirements.

Attendance and Certificates

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Last modified: 3/4/2013