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  Division of Water>  Drinking Water>  Information for Water Treatment Professionals>  Area Wide Optimization Program
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Area Wide Optimization Program |
Capacity Development |
Optimization Performance Criteria
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Last Modified:  11/27/2007
Area-Wide Optimization Program

The Division of Water initiated the Area-Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) in 1997. AWOP is an effort to optimize the performance of existing surface water treatment facilities. The goal of the program is to optimize particle removal and disinfection at all filtration plants to maximize public health protection.

How does AWOP work?

Status Component

  • Establish optimized performance goals.
  • Prioritize water systems based on public health risk.
  • Continuously monitor and assess performance data.
  • Develop professional relationship with water utilities to encourage continued performance improvements.

Evaluation Component

  • Use existing programs to focus on optimized performance goals.
  • Implement Comprehensive Performance Evaluations (CPEs) at high-risk systems.
  • Support other evaluation programs.
  • Identify and develop resources to sustain evaluation capability.
  • Provide quality control on third-party evaluation activities.

Follow-Up Component

  • Transfer optimization skills to plant personnel.
  • Use developed methods to systematically address factors that are limiting performance.
  • Develop resources to provide follow-up capability.
  • Performance-based training.
  • Comprehensive technical assistance.

Maintenance Component

  • Review and revise programs as needed.
  • Initiate and sustain quality control activities.

DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS: A CASE STUDY

AWOP Performance Graph for Kentucky

Kentucky's AWOP allows technical assistance staff in the Drinking Water Branch to identify and target poor performance. After identifying problems, staff with the Pikeville water system subsequently improved this facility's performance by washing filters at lower turbidity triggers, filtering to waste and optimizing coagulation. The water system's performance relative to the optimized filtered water turbidity goal of less than 0.1 nephelometric unit (NTU) went from 17 percent in 1998 to 73 percent in 1999 and 84 percent in 2000 (see figure above).  Identifying and targeting poor performance in the water system has led to dramatic improvements in drinking water quality and public health.

For more information or updates on AWOP, please contact:

Julie Roney, supervisor
Technical Support and Outreach Section
Drinking Water Branch
Division of Water
14 Reilly Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-564-3410, ext. 535
Fax: 502-564-0111
Email: Julie.Roney@ky.gov

 

 
AWOP

The hidden benefits to AWOP have shown to be:

  • Less water used for backwashing—translates into $$$ saved
  • Optimized chemical usage—again $$$ saved
  • Lower turbidity goals lessen likelihood of a turbidity noncompliance issue—more $$$ saved and increased public confidence
  • Better operator skills—higher quality water produced, confident employees.

Tools utilized for AWOP include:

  • 1998 edition of the Optimization Handbook
  • Filter Assessment manual (South Carolina DHEC)
  • 2 Hach 1720D turbidimeters, i/o module, laptop computer
  • Assorted tools for filter and settling basin assessment
  • An eager staff willing to take on the task at hand
Division of Water
14 Reilly Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-564-3410
Fax: 502-564-0111
E-mail: water@ky.gov
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