Title:
Title
Naming the Sacramento River Water Treatment Plant Filters for Bryant L. Bench
End
FileID
File ID: 2019-01700
Location
Location: 1 Water Street, District 3
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution naming the Sacramento River Water Treatment Plant Filters for Bryant L. Bench.
Contact: Dan Sherry, Engineering & Water Resources Division Manager, (916) 808-1419; William O. Busath, Director, Department of Utilities
Body
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Staff recommends Council approve naming the Sacramento River Water Treatment Plant (SRWTP) Filter Building 9 through 16 in honor of Bryant L. Bench.
The City of Sacramento (City) has a long history of remembering those who have served the City over the years. In fact, names of City leaders, visionaries, and engineers who have made significant contributions to the City and SRWTP are inscribed on buildings throughout the City. They are remembered and honored for their service and contributions to the citizens of the City.
In recent memory, one such engineer is Bryant L. Bench (1955-2015). Both of the City’s water treatment plants we see today have benefited greatly from this humble and dedicated engineer. Over a period of more than 20 years, Bryant worked on various projects for the City, including expansion and rehabilitation of both water treatment plants.
As Bryant gained experience, he became a leader in water treatment design that influenced many treatment plants across the nation. He was always a student of water treatment and looked to improve his craft as he traveled around the world to visit facilities. He was mentored by industry icons such as Dr. Susumu Kawamura, author of the premier reference book on water treatment plant design.
Early in his career, nozzle style underdrains were not used in the United States. Bryant traveled to Europe to meet with a nozzle manufacturer and evaluate facilities with nozzle underdrains. Based upon his findings, he pioneered the use of nozzle underdrains in the United States. He never stopped optimizing the design and operation of filters, developing the “constant head box” to protect filter underdrains from failure, and “managed filtration”, a method to optimize filter operation for optimum public health protection. As such, his filter designs for the City and across the nation continued to progress.
During Bryant’s 34 years of service to the water industry he evaluated and designed treatment plants that produce more than 3 billion gallons of water per day, serving millions of customers across North America. He enjoyed bringing state-of-the-art water treatment concepts to clients with plants of all sizes, and always looked for teaching moments for those that showed interest.
In addition to his own observations, he always listened to and learned from operators. He would collaborate with operators and learn from their successes and struggles to produce the highest quality filtered water possible. Those visits would invariably showcase his passion for filtration. As he led the filter designs for both the E.A. Fairbairn Water Treatment Plant and SRWTP, he worked with the operators to test, implement, and optimize rinse-to-waste, a tool used to more efficiently bring a filter online while preserving high filtered water quality.
The SRWTP was one of the last plants Bryant designed, so it incorporated all of the most advanced concepts he had developed through the years. It was also the last plant Bryant visited before his passing.
Policy Considerations: The proposed naming is consistent with the City’s Facility Naming Policy adopted by City Council on February 26, 2018 (Resolution No. 2008-0112). Under the policy facilities may be named for an individual who has significantly contributed to the community.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: None.
Sustainability: None.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: The proposed naming of the SRWTP filters is consistent with the City’s Facility Naming Policy, in recognition of Bryant’s contributions to the improvement of the City’s water treatment plants, as well as the larger field of water treatment.
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.