Evaluation of PHA’s Stormwater Quality Management Program Provides Enhancements to Program

The Port Authority of Houston (PHA) is a quasi-governmental entity responsible for shipping activities in the Houston metropolitan area. PHA’s facilities, including container terminals, container marshaling areas, warehouse facilities, maintenance areas, and extensive roadways, are located in coastal areas of Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, a dredged inland waterway. PHA’s facilities encompass over 8,000 acres of coastal and near coastal land. On average, more than 26 million tons of cargo are unloaded from ships for transport by truck and rail each year. In light of new regulatory emphasis on wet weather pollution sources, and to ensure that PHA stormwater management activities are as effective as possible, PHA retained WESTON to evaluate its stormwater management programs.

WESTON conducted comprehensive interviews and field inspections on existing PHA practices and procedures regarding stormwater sampling, pollution prevention techniques, and best management practices (BMPs). WESTON also observed PHA’s stormwater monitoring techniques. WESTON’s report, which was well received by PHA, evaluated current stormwater monitoring techniques; compared PHA stormwater data with data contained in EPA’s Nationwide Urban Runoff Program (NURP) study report; and provided over 50 specific, implementable recommendations to improve stormwater pollution prevention activities at all PHA facilities. Suggested actions involved enhanced coordination with tenant facilities, improved training, changes to stormwater sampling techniques and locations, implementation of additional BMPs, and implementation of certain BMPs on a pilot-scale basis. Key recommendations are planned or are underway.

As a result of WESTON’s recommendations, PHA was able to implement suggestions that enhanced its stormwater pollution prevention activities, improved stormwater monitoring programs, provided more representative stormwater monitoring data, and increased favorable visibility of PHA in the water quality management community of the Galveston Bay region.

• Develop Emergency Operations Plans that guide immediate response actions, responsibilities, and remediation activities to address events such as power loss, water supply contamination, distribution loss, or acts of terrorism.

• Design Facility Security and Operational Enhancements by developing the procedures, systems, operations, and countermeasures required to make critical components unattractive targets for vandalism and terrorism.

Each unique water system serves a broad constituency and maintains unique source, treatment, and transmission structures.  The WESTON/USIS team works closely with the utility to ensure assessments accomplish established goals tailored to the specific needs of the water authority.

Vulnerability assessments are the first critical step in an evolving process to maintain public confidence in the safety of our water supply systems.  They provide a basis for comparing the cost of protection against the risks posed and build a stable platform from which to face the challenges of the new century.

Key projects highlighting the WESTON/USIS Team’s unique capabilities

• Model Risk Management Plan and Guidance, American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF), Denver, Colorado. WESTON worked closely with AWWARF and EPA on an intense 2-year project to develop the Guidance Document for Development of Model Risk Management Programs as a resource for water and wastewater systems nationwide.  WESTON surveyed the industry, reviewed accidental release data, and studied a broad range of risk management plans (RMPs).  The results were used to develop a model RMP to provide managers with guidance on Hazard Assessment, Prevention, Emergency Response, and Risk Management Planning and to help them comply with EPA RMP and OSHA Process Safety Management regulations.

• Model RMP Application at Water Treatment Plant, Chester Water Authority (CWA), Chester, Pennsylvania. WESTON applied the model RMP guidance developed for AWWARF to prepare the chlorination process RMP at CWA’s Octorara Water Treatment Plant for U.S. EPA submittal.   WESTON conducted a site-specific off-site consequences analysis and helped CWA integrate EPA RMP compliance protocols into existing policies and procedures.  WESTON also helped CWA develop an emergency response program to satisfy RMP regulations.

• Design and Construction of Drinking Water System Improvements, Dover Air Force Base (DAFB), Dover, Delaware. WESTON is upgrading DAFB’s drinking water system, improving the chlorination process and defensive features.  A circulation loop is being constructed to ensure proper chlorine levels are maintained throughout the extensive distribution system.  System weaknesses have been identified and hardened by WESTON to prevent injuries caused by vandalism, sabotage, or terrorist acts.  Automated security improvements are being incorporated into the base’s existing SCADA system to foster early detection of system breaches.

WESTON is a leading environmental remediation, redevelopment, and management and compliance firm, delivering comprehensive solutions to complex problems for industries and governments worldwide.  WESTON has extensive experience in water, wastewater, and other infrastructure design, construction, and operations.

USIS is the largest personnel security services company in North America, offering tailored security consulting services to government agencies and commercial entities.