The Evolution of Collection System Best Practices

TThe wastewater collection profession is experiencing rapid change. As new products, operating procedures, and workarounds are introduced in response to increasingly stringent government regulations, a changing workforce, climate change and advances in technology, our industry’s ‘best practices’ continually evolve. How does our profession become aware of, evaluate, and implement changes to existing practices? How do these changes impact the workforce and workplace, and how do workforces and workplaces influence changes that are made? When should new business practices and technology advancements become generally accepted? These are all important questions to be considered, especially when evaluating the applicability of best practices, adopting new technology, standardizing procedures, and providing industry-wide training.One of the most highly regarded water and wastewater operator training programs in the U.S. has been working hard to ensure that the collection systems best practices reflected in its courses are up-to-date, relevant, and appropriate. First published in 1975, and with nearly 90,000 copies in print and used by over 25,000 operators and managers in accredited training programs, the OPERATION AND MAINTENACE OF WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEMS, Volumes 1 and 2, have undergone several complete revisions throughout the years. Under the auspices and supervision of the Office of Water Programs, California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), a team of dedicated industry veterans has been using a painstakingly thorough approach to keep its operators and manager training manuals current.While Volume 1 is currently being distributed in its Sixth Edition, and Volume 2 is currently being distributed in its Seventh Edition, this paper describes a ‘behind the curtain’ look at the often-mysterious process used to create the new Seventh Edition of Volume 1. Due for release in October 2014, with principal work complete, this paper provides a glimpse in how best practices are created, identified, and documented for the wastewater collection industry.