The Texas Optimization Program (TOP) is a voluntary,
nonregulatory program designed to dramatically improve the
performance of existing surface water treatment plants without
major capital improvements. The underlying mission of the TOP is to
protect the public health of Texas’ citizens.
What Is Optimization?
Optimization is an ongoing process that involves:
- setting performance targets for each major treatment unit in
the plant,
- monitoring the performance of each of the major treatment
units,
- analyzing the data to determine if each unit is achieving the
desired performance level, and
- taking corrective action if the performance objectives are not
being met.
The goal of optimization is to lower the risk of waterborne
disease by reducing the number of pathogenic organisms that could
pass through a treatment plant. Optimization of a surface water
treatment plant is achieved by identifying and addressing the
various factors that limit its performance.
TOP Evaluation
To produce the safest water possible, water systems must
thoroughly evaluate the performance of its treatment plant and
identify the various factors that might be limiting plant
performance. The evaluation technique used most often by public
water systems is the Comprehensive Performance Evaluation (CPE).
One of the benefits of the CPE methodology is that it produces a
prioritized list of performance-limiting factors. However,
regardless of the method that is used, the evaluation must include
an detailed assessment of:
- plant design,
- operational procedures,
- maintenance practices, and
- administrative policies.
TOP Adjustment
Once performance-limiting factors are identified, the water
system can begin to correct the problems. Frequently, the water
system has all of the expertise that it needs to address the
performance-limiting factors. However, in other cases, the plant
may need the help of qualified engineers or other consultants. Some
technical assistance may also be available from TCEQ staff that
work in the Texas Optimization Program. Some of these staff members
are assigned to the Field Operations Division and others work on
the Surface Plant Evaluation Team in the central office.
Comprehensive Performance Evaluations (CPE)
The CPE is a tool that an operator can use to optimize a plant's
performance. In Texas, a water system can get a CPE by volunteering
as a training site for CPE training or by hiring trained personnel
to perform a CPE. It usually takes a team of three to five trained
people about four or five days to perform this exacting analysis.
The utility receives a final report that can be used as a road map
in making changes that will improve the plant's performance. Over
60 plants in Texas have received CPEs.
To Learn More
For more information on the Texas Optimization Program, see
these Web pages:
or contact our Public
Drinking Water staff and mention the Texas Optimization
Program.
