Dear Mr. Smyser,

As part of our project we need to identify an organization affiliated with
wastewater management treatment plants.  To complete our component, we must 
have the following information about the organization: their mission (purpose
for existence), the number of companies affiliated with the organization and
the organization's economic impact.

We would like for FWPCOA to serve this role.  On your website, we located
your mission statement and a list of your constituent members.  In addition
we need information about the economic impact of the research published in
your journal and on your website.

The economic impact is very direct.  The more people know, the more they can
apply that knowledge.  This is where publicizing articles is very helpful.
Many small cities or utilities cannot do some of the studies they read about,
this keeps them informed, and sets up networking channels so they can get
more information if they want.  Without that, someone working at a small
facility might do upgrades using older technology they knew from the past
instead of an improved method that is safer, less costly, and better for the
environment.

FWPCOA also provides training.  If an operator wants to get advanced, they
must become proficient.  The State of Florida administers licensing test for
operators, and our association has voluntary certification for many other
positions within the Water Wastewater and Stormwater fields.  While training
isn't the only prerequisite to taking a certification/licensure exam it is a
requirement (On the job time also needed).  By providing this training we
provide a method for people to better themselves in their field, and
hopefully earn a better income.

We understand that your organization is nonprofit.  Alas it's not
However,the information that you provide to your constituents does allows for
economic improvements.

We are also in need of the answer to this question? How has the safety of
handling methane increased since the early 70's besides more mechanization of
regulating devices?

The main method of increasing the safety of handling methane has been
TRAINING!  Nothing works better when trying to be safe than to have people
who know what they're doing.  While detection devices, and explosion proof
devices have gotten better, Training will always be the key.

Methane gas is produced as one of the discharged products of the bacteria
used during any stage where an “anaerobic” process is taking place.  This
process normally occurs in the final digesters of a wastewater treatment
process where the bacteria eat (digest) the waste sludge after it is pumped
out of the secondary treatment.  This process also occurs in septic tanks.

Until the last few decades this gas, also called Digester Gas, due to the
equipment it’s produced in, was just burned as it exited a vertical pipe. 
You can still drive past plants and see the flame billowing out of this
“torch” on the plant grounds.  With the advent of conserving natural
resources, it now often collected and used for other purposes.  The main
three are:

1) Piped to a power generation facility where it fuels a boiler.  The steam
generated then runs turbines that generate electrical power.  This is mainly
at very large plants where gas production can support the electric plant.
2) Very similar to (1), in the north it will supply a boiler that provides
heat for the plant.  Nice on the cold winter mornings.
3)  Many municipalities now operate their cars on CNG (Compressed Natural
Gas)  Some of these municipalities also produce their own CNG by collecting
and processing the digester gas.  The gas is collected, dried, and pumped
into special tanks so it can then be used as an alternative fuel for the
cars.  This is the most common use other than just burning the gas in
Florida.

Thank-you so much for your help!  Our website will hopefully be up and
ready for proofreading this weekend.