Hey listeners, it’s Tappy Turtle from the Turtle Channel. Today I'm visiting my friend Silver Seal, who works at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Silver is going to tell me how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) are used at the MWRA.
TAPPY TURTLE: First of all, Silver, do you want to highlight the importance of the MWRA to our audience here?
SILVER SEAL: Of course! As a worker at the MWRA, I am proud of what we do. We treat drinking water as well as wastewater. Our hard work keeps the water clean for everyone, including myself, since I live in the Boston Harbor. Before the MWRA, the Harbor was a mess!
TAPPY TURTLE: Yes indeed! But I admit I don't know much about how STEM is used at the MWRA. Can you explain?
SCIENCE
SILVER SEAL: Science is used many ways at the MWRA. Chemical tools are great for water purification. For instance, drinking water is treated and purified with ozone, a primary disinfectant. Ozone has three atoms of oxygen and is a very effective disinfectant. Best of all, its byproduct is oxygen, so it is safe for the environment.
TAPPY TURTLE: Wow, clean water and more oxygen! Science is magical!
SILVER SEAL: We also use another form of natural disinfectant, ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light can inactivate tough-to-kill pathogens to keep our water super pure. Furthermore, sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide are used to adjust the water pH in order to minimize traces of copper and lead leached out from pipes.
TAPPY TURTLE: I never knew there is so much science behind our water!
SILVER SEAL: MWRA scientists also work hard every day to test the water and make sure it is properly treated and safe for everyone. In fact, water is sampled and tested by these scientists over 1,600 times a month!
TAPPY TURTLE: That's A LOT of testing!
SILVER SEAL: Without Science, the MWRA would not have the tools to properly treat water and test water quality. Our water supply would be full of harmful chemicals and toxic substances, and would never have my seal of approval.
TECHNOLOGY
SILVER SEAL: Although it may not seem obvious, technology is used constantly throughout the MWRA.
TAPPY TURTLE: Really? Tell me more.
SILVER SEAL: Computer systems are used in many ways at the wastewater treatment plants. For example, Deer Island has computerized systems that control and assist with its operation. The Process Information Control System (PICS) tracks and records real time operations data from the plant, while the Operation
Management System (OMS) analyzes PICS data and laboratory test results to ensure the plant’s performance. MAXIMO is another computer system used to manage the maintenance of the plant.
TAPPY TURTLE: Wow! That’s impressive!
SILVER SEAL: In fact, the Deer Island facility is one of the largest sewage treatment plant in the entire U.S. Computer technology helps us manage this complex operation efficiently.
TAPPY TURTLE: The MWRA also uses renewable energy technologies, right?
SILVER SEAL: You are correct! The MWRA uses wind turbines to generate electricity. These turbines are spun by a natural source of energy-wind, and their motion generates electricity. Panels are installed wherever we can to harness solar energy. Even water itself is used to generate hydraulic power at the Wachusett Reservoir and other places. Using these forms of renewable energy instead of fossil fuels is a sustainable and environmentally conscious way to power the MWRA facilities.
TAPPY TURTLE: Without technology, the MWRA sure would not be able to function properly and effectively.
ENGINEERING
SILVER SEAL: Engineering is about creating, building, and maintaining ways to treat water.
TAPPY TURTLE: There are multiple branches of engineering, right? Are they all used at MWRA?
SILVER SEAL: Of course! Chemical engineering is used to pump the flow of water throughout our system, calculate rate of chemical addition, monitor reactions and control our sludge digesters. Mechanical engineering is used to design and build new water treatment facilities and service existing ones.
TAPPY TURTLE: What about electrical engineering?
SILVER SEAL: Electrical engineering is used to generate and maintain power supply to the treatment plants and facilities ... the list goes on and on. From pumping, to primary and secondary treatments, to sludge· digestion, to odor control and effluent discharge, engineering is integral to every step of our wastewater treatment operation.
TAPPY TURTLE: Now I cannot image the MWRA without Engineering!
MATH
SILVER SEAL: Last but not least, is Math.
TAPPY TURTLE: I admit I'm not exactly sure what math has to do with the MWRA. Water does not add or subtract. ..
SILVER SEAL: Math is behind EVERYTHING at the MWRA. In fact, it is behind Science, Technology, and Engineering! It is a universal tool that everyone uses-formulas are applied and equations solved, test results are calculated and reports are generated, volumes are determined and flow rates are controlled, energy needs are monitored and costs are documented. Without math, no one will have the tool to perform his or her duties.
TAPPY TURTLE: Science, technology, engineering, and math are all so important to the MWRA! Silver, thank you so much for your time today. I really learned a lot! Listeners, until next time, enjoy your water and be thankful for the MWRA-and STEM!