April 2024

Welcome to TRA’s Monthly Newsletter!

With a focus on people, places, processes, and projects, inTRA highlights the faces of TRA, the communities we serve and the processes and projects that drive the Authority forward in its mission to promote conservation, reclamation, protection and development of the natural resources of the Trinity River Basin for the benefit of the public.

Authority’s Digital Twin Project Wins Prestigious Texas Environmental Excellence Award

The Authority’s groundbreaking Digital Twin Project has been honored with the 2024 Texas Environmental Excellence Award (TEEA) in the Technical/Technology category, marking a significant achievement in environmental innovation.

Recognized as the state’s highest environmental honor, the TEEA celebrates achievements in environmental preservation and protection. The Technical/Technology category specifically acknowledges pioneering technology or technical approaches that positively impact the environment.

At the core of the project lies a mission to revolutionize conventional water plant operations through advanced digital technology, data collection, analysis, and decision-making processes. Since its inception, the initiative has yielded remarkable results, including substantially reducing carbon footprints by slashing paper and energy consumption.

The project’s implementation has proven instrumental in averting potential clarifier failures through early detection of torque arm readings and optimization of solids production at TMCRWS. Its role in commissioning and monitoring the CRWS Thermal Hydrolysis Process has facilitated transparent communication across various departments, enabling critical decision-making informed by real-time data.

The success of the Digital Twin Project underscores the collaborative effort and support from teams in the Authority’s IT, operations, maintenance, laboratory, engineering, and management departments.

The award will be formally presented at the TCEQ Trade Fair Awards Banquet in May.

TRA Employees Win Top Industry Awards at

Annual Texas Water Conference

Daniel Roberts, chief operator at CRWS, was awarded the WEAT Outstanding Operator of the Year award. This prestigious award recognizes the outstanding professionalism of a wastewater treatment plant operator in the state of Texas who has tirelessly performed their duties with a dedication to improving the water environment.

Roberts joined the Authority in 2018 and works in the Solids Operation Group. As a leader within the solids team, Roberts is known for his dedication to learning, reviewing new material, and sharing his knowledge with others. He leads a team of six operators in the solids group’s daily operations, which process 185 daily dry tons to meet Class A biosolids standards. Roberts is known to be an exceptional and devoted operator, always striving to enhance processes and support his team to achieve their best.

Marion Tims, TCWSP operations and maintenance chief, was awarded the Operator Meritorious Service Award for his outstanding contributions to the field. The award recognizes individuals who adhere to public health standards for treated drinking water; maintain plant equipment, improve treatment processes, train plant operators; exhibit dedication to the public; and demonstrate excellence in the maintenance of distribution lines, pump stations, and reservoirs.

Tims has been working at the Authority for more than two decades and has acquired extensive knowledge of the treatment processes and transmission systems. He is a hands-on manager who is always ready to take on new challenges. He leads a team of 31 managers and operators and is also a certified trainer who conducts several training classes each year to share his knowledge with new operators.

Bill Tatum’s legacy is still alive. The Water Environment Association of Texas has established an award in his honor. The Bill Tatum Operations Excellence Award recognizes operators who demonstrate exceptional commitment and professionalism in the clean water sector, inspiring others to follow their example.

Blayne Johnson, assistant manager of pipeline engineering services, has been selected to join the prestigious Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers. This award is given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service by recruiting at least five new members. The purpose of this award is to encourage active involvement; only those who exceed the call of duty are selected for this honor. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement!

The Authority’s communications department has been honored with multiple Watermark awards for their exceptional work. The Texas Section AWWA and WEAT present Watermark awards to recognize outstanding communication campaigns, digital publications, digital content and educational programs. The department has received a Category III Digital Content award for their social media video reel called “Using the Little Mermaid to Spread Hiring Information,” and a Category IV Community Outreach and Education Programs award for the TRA river cleanup activity. Additionally, they have received two honorable mentions for the 2023 art contest and another social media video reel that used the recent Barbie trends to attract new talent.

The Authority’s Ops Challenge teams, the River Guardians and TRAilblazers, participated in the 2024 Operations Challenge. Teams from Texas, Arizona, California, and Colorado participated. The teams competed in the top division of the Operations Challenge, which is a unique, fast-paced test of the essential skills needed to operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, their collection systems, and laboratories, which are all vital to the protection of public health and the environment.

The River Guardians finished second overall and second among Texas teams. The TRAilblazers finished fourth overall and third overall among Texas teams. Both teams will represent the Authority at the national WEFTEC competition in Louisiana. Congratulations to both teams!

Authority employees from the Planning, Design and Construction Administration, Northern Region, and IT departments shared their knowledge of various processes, operations, and organizational procedures during panel discussions.

TRA Employees Pause for 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

The water industry, known for its nonstop water management, experienced a rare pause on April 8, when a total solar eclipse darkened the skies. Employees across the Authority’s facilities gathered to witness this unique event as the moon completely covered the sun.

The eclipse turned the usual workday into an unforgettable moment. Staff from treatment plants, maintenance teams, and administration set aside their tasks to marvel at the spectacle, sharing a sense of awe and community. Safety glasses on, they watched as the sky darkened, reminding everyone that even the busiest workplaces can pause to embrace nature’s wonders.

TCWSP

General Office

CRWS

Tisha Draper Joins the Women in Leadership Advisory Committee at Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Tisha Draper, IT program/project analyst, was appointed to the Advisory Committee for the Women in Leadership Program at Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

As a committee member, she will help improve the program by reviewing its credit and noncredit courses, with a focus on engaging the local community.

Additionally, she will help to build value for the business community. Moreover, in her new role, Draper will work with a diverse, innovative, and experienced group of leaders. Together, they will provide expert guidance to faculty and students by visiting classrooms, hosting forums and conferences, and promoting the program’s goals within the industry and academia. Tisha’s appointment to the committee highlights her skills and expertise in the field, and her contribution is expected to be invaluable. Congratulations on this well-deserved appointment.

Outreach Department's Action-Packed Month: Engaging Communities and Building Connections

The Authority’s Outreach Department has been buzzing with activity this spring, diving headfirst into various events, facility tours, community gatherings and even trash pick-ups. With an impressive tally of 12 engagements under their belt, the team has truly been spreading their wings and making a meaningful impact in the community. It is inspiring to witness such dedication and hard work from volunteers, which showcases their commitment to outreach that surpasses expectations.

March 5: Southwest High School tour of DCRWS
March 8: Richland Middle School Career Day
March 23: Cowtown Cleanup
March 23: Earth Party in Fort Worth
April 6: River Legacy Earth Festival
April 6: Keep Irving Beautiful Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off

April 17: Ennis High School tour of ROCRWS
April 23: UTA Earth Day Fair
April 25: Hurst-Euless-Bedford Chamber of Commerce tour of TCWSP
April 26: Johns Elementary Career Day
April 27: Earth Day Mansfield

TWO MILLION FRY RELEASED INTO LAKE LIVINGSTON AS PART OF HYBRID BASS STOCKING PROGRAM

Visit Wolf Creek Park

If you are searching for a serene getaway, look no further than Wolf Creek Park. This hidden gem is an ideal spot for nature lovers and thrill seekers, with plenty of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, camping, ﬁshing, and boating. It provides the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, reconnect with nature, and spend quality time with loved ones. Whether you are planning a day trip or a weekend escape, Wolf Creek Park promises a memorable experience for everyone. The park is open annually from March to November, so book your spot by clicking HERE.

Follow this link for information about the WCP 2024 Photo Contest.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

“Springtime Sampling” submitted by Brandon Wooddell, CRWS environmental technician supervisor.

Colton Ellington, operator II at HRWSS, earned his Surface Water Treatment Operator C license.

Chad Thomason, maintenance mechanic II at DCRWS, earned his Wastewater Treatment Operator B license.

Kolton Stephens, operator II at TMCRWS, earned his Wastewater Treatment Operator B license.

Cynthia Everett was promoted to administrative assistant II at the Southern Region Support Services.

Madison Taylor, granddaughter of Carion Taylor, TSBP executive assistant, achieved great success at the Tarrant County Junior Livestock Show and Youth Fair in March. She won the Grand Champion title in the Commercial Doe Category with her goat, Sprinkles, and also secured the Reserve Champion title in Horticulture. It's an impressive accomplishment, especially considering she competed against participants of all ages. Congratulations!

Karen Menard, regulatory resources manager at the General Office, was appointed as the chair of the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association during the Texas Water Conference Night Out, held on Thursday, April 11, at Billy Bob’s Texas Honky Tonk in Fort Worth. Congratulations on the achievement!