AWWA JAW48530

Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPPC), the major water purveyor in northern Nevada, draws its supply from surface water (75 percent) and groundwater (25 percent). The Truckee River, which provides SPPC surface water, is a dynamic raw water source that can change from a nominal turbidity of 5.0-ntu to >4,000 ntu in as little as 5 hours. This article discusses how SPPC developed an intensive operator training session to equip its operators with the skills to treat such a variable raw water source. A measure of the program's success is illustrated by how employees dealt with high turbidity levels triggered by unseasonably warm weather and a winter storm on January 1, 1997. Erratum - Operator Dennis Romeo was incorrectly identified as Dennis Romero in this article. Includes tables, figures.