D.C. Utility Adopts New Name and Logo

Public competition helps authority with rebranding campaign

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority now goes by the new name DC Water. Known as DC WASA since becoming an independent authority of the District of Columbia in 1996, it launched a rebranding campaign by unveiling the new name and logo in June. The new logo features the name, a water drop, and the tagline “Water is Life.” The tagline notes the importance of water in the Washington, D.C., community, and the new name and logo encompass all aspects of the authority’s activities, according to a DC Water news release. “We wanted to project a fresh image of an open, accountable, trustworthy water agency to go along with the changes in management and programs that the authority has experienced in the last few months,” said Alan Heymann, DC Water director of public affairs. The new name and logo colors and design appeal more to the average citizen, he said.

From left, D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins, and DC Water Board Chairman William M. Walker stand in front of the DC Water sign with the new logo at the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. Photo courtesy of DC Water. Click for larger image.

Prepare for WEFTEC 2010: Get All the Information You Need Here

Connect with thousands of water and wastewater professionals at North America’s largest water quality event, WEFTEC® 2010, Oct. 2 to 6 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. The 83rd annual technical conference of the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) enables attendees to learn about the latest water quality research, technology, and services through 112 technical sessions, 35 workshops, six facility tours, and an exhibition floor with more than 800 exhibitors. View the online WEFTEC 2010 video for an overview of the conference, and see FAQs for more information.

From the President: Shifting the Vision of Water Professionals

Paul Freedman, 2009–2010 WEF President.

During my years as a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) officer, I have traveled across North America and around the globe, meeting and talking with water professionals. Often, I am asked what these experiences have taught me. So, for my final Highlights column, I thought I should share a few reflections.

I have found that water professionals are a special breed, no matter where you go. Our fellow professionals are dedicated to public service, protecting public health and the environment. They are inspired by the challenge of turning waste and pollution into valuable resources. Maybe that is why I have found water professionals to be the most open, friendly, and fun group of people. I especially have enjoyed and have been honored to travel as your president. 

Jim Cox Joins WEF as Biosolids Program Director

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) welcomes Jim Cox in the new position of Biosolids Program director.

In this role, Cox also will serve as project manager for the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP; Alexandria, Va.). Cox will lead the implementation of new initiatives that will enable WEF and NBP to better serve the biosolids community.  

In Memoriam: Robert F. Roskopf, Former WEF Treasurer

Photo courtesy of Chris Roskopf.

Robert F. Roskopf, of Minnetonka, Minn., member of the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) since 1964, and WEF treasurer from 1991 to 1994, died July 9 at the age of 71 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

“Bob was a good man in every sense of the word, who always set a good example for those around him, both in his work life and his home life,” said his wife, Chris Roskopf. “He was glad to serve his professional organization, and we both felt it was a privilege to represent WEF as we traveled around to various meetings.” 

WEF Member Dedication Results in Forming of IWEA

Member volunteers have lasting impact on WEF and Illinois water professionals

Five Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) members have made a big splash in Illinois. 

	Ted Denning, Larry Ziemba, Gregory Cargill, Lou Kollias, and Chuck Corley met each other while working at the Chicago office of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) shortly after the agency was formed in July 1970. Each of these environmental professionals was at the beginning his career and eagerly looking for a way to make a difference, Cargill said. In 1972, Cargill joined the Central States Water Environment Association (Crystal Lake, Ill.), the WEF Member Association (MA) for Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Through interactions with wastewater treatment plant operators while working for IEPA, Cargill and his colleagues got the idea that Illinois had enough interested professionals to support the state’s own MA. “We thought we could really call more attention to water quality issues if we had our own Member Association,” Ziemba said. Over the years, the group began talking to other Illinois professionals, garnering support from other potential members, and finally helped submit an application to WEF. In 1980, the Illinois Water Environment Association (IWEA; Chicago) was recognized as the official WEF MA for the state due to the efforts of many Illinois water quality professionals.
Above from left, Gregory Cargill, Lou Kollias, Chuck Corley, Ted Denning, and Larry Ziemba gather together at the 2008 IWEA Annual Conference. Below from left, Ziemba, Kollias, Corley, Denning, and Cargill gather at the 2003 IWEA Annual Conference. Photos courtesy of Cargill. Click for larger images.

 

 
























"The group joined together in different capacities over the years to build and develop IWEA, taking various leadership roles. “All five of us were immediately volunteering for IWEA committees,” Cargill said.

“The IWEA provided an opportunity for involvement and participation with people and an organization that has a direct relationship to my interests and career choice,” Corley said. The organization is a place for people with different personalities, different positions on issues, and different career paths and interests to associate and build friendships in an environment with career and gender diversity, he explained.

Denning, WEF member since 1970 and manager of IEPA’s Chicago office, assumed the lead position of the IWEA Membership Committee for 12 years. Kollias, WEF member since 1974 and director of monitoring and research at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, worked with Denning on the IWEA Government Affairs seminar for 25 years and with Cargill on the IWEA Industrial Waste and Pretreatment Committee.

Ziemba, WEF member since 1971 and manager of IEPA’s Marion, Ill., office, helped create the IWEA Public Education and Student Affairs Committee, leading it as chairman for the first 5 years. Cargill, WEF member since 1972 and senior project manager at Clark Dietz (Champaign, Ill.), has worked on the IWEA Public Education Committee, helped author the IWEA Ten Day Water Environment Curriculum, and helped created WEF student chapters at local Illinois colleges. Corley, WEF member since 1982, is manager of the Rockford Regional Office of the IEPA. Corley devoted his time to the IWEA newsletter, IllinoisClarifier, working as its chairman for 24 years.

The group started participating by manning the registration tables and setting up for the IWEA conferences, seminars, and other events. This led to writing and presenting technical papers at local and regional seminars, and then to other leadership capacities. Together, the group to date has committed to IWEA a total of 37 years to the executive board, 190 years to committees, and 60 years as committee chairs, and each has been president of the IWEA. 

Kollias, front left, Ziemba, front second from left, Denning, front right, and Cargill, back right, played on the Mushrooms softball team together in 1974. Photo courtesy of Cargill. Click for larger image.

The group worked together at IEPA for a few years, but some moved on to other jobs even before IWEA was formed, Cargill said. They kept in touch as friends, joining sports teams and social clubs together, but the desire to start an Illinois MA and make a difference for the water environment is what kept these five together, Cargill said. “The true sustaining bond was the Illinois Water Environment Association.” Each of these members made a decision independently to really be a participant and volunteer his time for WEF and IWEA. Looking around during those volunteer hours and seeing friends and former co-workers really makes the sacrifice of time easier, Cargill said.

Volunteer work with the state MA evolved into national-level work, Cargill said. Early civic activities set the foundation for roles with more responsibility and enabled each member to know what is important to other water professionals from the bottom up, he added. The group has committed time to WEF and WEFTEC^®, with a total participation in seven WEFTeach workshops, five paper presentations at WEFTEC, three times co-chair of the WEFTEC Local Arrangements Committee, four times serving as chair for WEFMAX, chair for the 2011 United States Stockholm Jr. Water Prize competition, and 44 years participating on national WEF committees.

Involvement in WEF enabled the group to help influence national water policy and educate students and other professionals. One of the biggest influences the IWEA and the group of WEF members had on WEF at the national level was helping to bring WEFTEC to Chicago, Cargill said. The group and IWEA offered the local support necessary to host WEFTEC in Chicago in 1994, he said.

Kollias became involved in IWEA at first because of his association with the IEPA colleagues, but his involvement provided him with an entirely new circle of friends with common interests and goals, he said. “We came together as we grew as professionals and our MA grew into a great organization,” Corley said. “As an organization, I would be proud to represent the IWEA and my membership in it to any group or organization inside or outside the industry.”

Members of the group dedicated their time to create, enhance, and participate in their respective areas of interest to help water professionals and ultimately benefit the water environment. The volunteer hours did have a payback, Cargill explained. In addition to the satisfaction, fulfillment, and professional development and networking that volunteer work provides, it also was fun and has provided each of these original IWEA members with life-long friendships and lasting memories.

Learn more about IWEA’s history and these members in the Winter 2010, Spring 2010, and Summer 2010 newsletters on the IWEA Web site, iweasite.org.

Jennifer Fulcher, WEF Highlights

D.C. Utility Adopts New Name and Logo

Public competition helps authority with rebranding campaign

The Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant outfitted with DC Water’s new logo. Photo courtesy of DC Water. Click for larger image.

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority now goes by the new name DC Water. Known as DC WASA since becoming an independent authority of the District of Columbia in 1996, it launched a rebranding campaign by unveiling the new name and logo in June.

The new logo features the name, a water drop, and the tagline “Water is Life.” The tagline notes the importance of water in the Washington, D.C., community, and the new name and logo encompass all aspects of the authority’s activities, according to a DC Water news release.

Items with the new DC Water logo. Photo courtesy of DC Water. Click for larger image.

“We wanted to project a fresh image of an open, accountable, trustworthy water agency to go along with the changes in management and programs that the authority has experienced in the last few months,” said Alan Heymann, DC Water director of public affairs. The new name and logo colors and design appeal more to the average citizen, he said.

The general public helped the authority create its new brand and logo. In February, DC Water asked the public to submit a trade name, logo, tagline, or combination of the three in a monthlong competition to rebrand the authority. Because DC Water has not changed its legal name, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, entries had to contain only words or parts of words from the name.

A poster showing all of the DC Water branding contest entries. Photo courtesy of DC Water. Click for larger image.

“We had a public competition because we’re a public water agency,” Heymann said. “Our customers own the place, so we thought it was important that they have a say in our new look and name.” The authority distributed information about the competition through a news release to local media and to contacts on its e-mail list, posts on community blogs, announcements on Facebook and Twitter, a posting in its newsletter, and announcements on its Web site.

The competition drew 177 entries from across the country from a mixture of graphic design professionals, students, DC Water employees, and amateurs, Heymann said. The final name and logo were created by combining the submissions of three finalists, who split a $2000 cash prize.

DC Water has updated its Web site and signage with the new logo, unveiled the new logo at the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, and has begun adding the logo to vehicles and staff uniforms.

“Our next step is to take tap water to the public in a way that’s far more visible than ever before, through a series of taste tests and other outreach activities,” Heymann said.

Jennifer Fulcher, WEF Highlights

Prepare for WEFTEC 2010: Get All the Information You Need Here

Click above to view the online WEFTEC 2010 video providing an overview of the conference.

Connect with thousands of water and wastewater professionals at North America’s largest water quality event, WEFTEC^® 2010, Oct. 2 to 6 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. The 83rd annual technical conference of the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) enables attendees to learn about the latest water quality research, technology, and services through 112 technical sessions, 35 workshops, six facility tours, and an exhibition floor with more than 800 exhibitors. View the online WEFTEC 2010 video for an overview of the conference, and see FAQs for more information.

WEFTEC Ranking

Tradeshow Week named WEFTEC the 74th largest trade show in the nation for 2009. In 2008, the conference was listed as the 78th largest trade show. Compiled annually, the list of 200 U.S. trade expositions assigns rank based on net square feet of paid exhibit space.

Operations Challenge Watch some of the best wastewater collection and treatment personnel display their skills during Operations Challenge 2010. Teams compete in a series of five competitive events (collection systems, laboratory, maintenance, process control, and safety). When: Tuesday, Oct. 5, 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Hall C, New Orleans Morial Convention Center Awards Ceremony: Hilton New Orleans Riverside, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The WEFTEC 2009 Operations Challenge event. Photo courtesy of Oscar Einzig Photography (Chicago). Click for larger image.

Student and Young Professionals WEF’s Student and Young Professionals Committee (SYPC) hosts a variety of events during the conference. For this year’s SYPC-sponsored WEFTEC service project, “Bioswales in the Bayou,” attendees can help construct bioswales Oct. 2, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This year’s project will include a community outreach event called the Water Carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To volunteer for the bioswales construction, indicate attendance on WEFTEC registration forms. To amend your registration, contact WEF’s customer service at (877) 303-0724. Other SYPC events include the student design competition, Oct. 3, 12 to 6 p.m., and the students and young professionals networking and career fair, Oct. 4, 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Dianne Crilley at dcrilley@wef.org.

A volunteer helps out at “Wading for Wetlands,” the WEFTEC 2009 service project. Photo courtesy of Frank Crilley. Click for larger image.

Opening General Session The Opening General Session, Oct. 4, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., features keynote speaker Steven Solomon, an esteemed economics journalist and author. Through his book Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization, Solomon provides a narrative portrait of water and the resulting power struggles, personalities, and breakthroughs that have shaped human civilizations. During the event, Solomon will share his insights about the key role water has had in the development of modern societies and the growing issues concerning scarcity and pollution that could lead to a global crisis unless we adopt more-sustainable approaches to water management. 2010 WEF Awards Featured at WEFTEC Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) award recipients will be recognized during WEFTEC 2010 through the “Hall of Honor” display, the awards brochure distributed to all conference attendees, the Opening General Session, and an awards ceremony. During the Opening General Session, Oct. 4, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., the Public Officials Award, Presidential Recognition Award, Engelbrecht International Achievement Award, and Emerson Distinguished Service Medal will be presented to recipients.

Steven Solomon is the keynote speaker for the WEFTEC 2010 Opening General Session. Photo courtesy of BrightSight Group (Princeton, N.J.).

The Awards and Presidential Celebration, a ceremony recognizing the outstanding achievements of many talented and dedicated members, Member Associations, and other contributions will be held Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. Past WEF President Rebecca West will announce the awards, and WEF President Paul Freedman will pass the gavel to the 2010–2011 President Jeanette Brown. Both events will be held in the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

Digital Conversation

WEFTEC 2010 attendees and exhibitors will have the opportunity to join a digital conversation before, during, and after the conference. On Facebook, join the WEF group at http://bit.ly/weffacebook and see the WEFTEC page at http://bit.ly/weftecfacebook. Follow WEF on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WEForg and tweet about WEFTEC, marking your tweets with the hashtag #WEFTEC. Find more information about the WEFTEC 2010 online conversation at http://www.weftec.org.

Electronic Tools

Get the inside scoop on WEFTEC 2010 in the WEFTEC 2010 Conference Announcement, which provides a summary of the educational, business, and networking opportunities available during this year’s conference.

Follow workshop and session links on any page of the digital announcement to connect instantly to My WEFTEC Planner. Through the planner, search for workshops, technical sessions, exhibitors, events, tours, and committee meetings, and add them to your personalized WEFTEC schedule. Log in anytime to make changes, and access it at the conference through WEFTEC 2010 E-Services.

Continuing Education Opportunities

WEFTEC attendees can earn up to 1.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for full participation in workshops, up to 17.5 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for participation in technical sessions, and Contact Hours for participation in facility tours and time spent in the exhibit hall. To receive education credits, scan your WEFTEC badge when you enter and exit a workshop, a technical session, or the exhibit hall.

Event Registration Information

• Register online through the end of the conference. To register onsite at the conference, “Register Today” and “Exhibitor Registration” will be located in Hall G of the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. See the registration fees and the registration page for more information.
• Exhibit space is still available. Reserve your booth today to optimize your location. For booth selection assistance, contact Sacha Carey at WEFTECSales@wef.org or (703) 684-2434.
• Pick up badges at Express Badge Pickup counters located at the convention center and select hotels. Preregistered attendees and exhibitors who provide an e-mail address when they register will receive an e-mail confirmation after submission. Print this e-mail and bring it to pick up name badges onsite. The confirmation page will be scanned, and the badge will be printed instantly.

Take Advantage of Cutting-Edge Resources in the Bookstore

Visit the WEFTEC Bookstore to find the latest Manuals of Practice (MOPs) and other technical publications, such as WEF’s training and certification materials and Public Education and Public Communication materials on display. Look for the following new MOP titles that will be available for purchase.

Biofilm Reactors, MOP 35 covers pure fixed-film and hybrid treatment systems, providing details on their design, performance, and operational issues. It discusses factors that affect the design of various processes, design criteria and procedures, modeling techniques, equipment requirements, and construction methods. Real-world case studies illustrate the application of the technologies presented.

Nutrient Removal, MOP 34 provides information on biological and chemical methods for removing nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. It covers environmental and regulatory issues and provides an integrated approach for combined nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Natural treatment systems also are discussed in this definitive guide.

Information Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment Utilities, MOP 33 presents an overview of information technology (IT) systems, practices, and applications most relevant to utilities. This resource covers strategic planning, IT program development, project management, infrastructure, security, organizational issues, success factors, and challenges. Six real-world case studies highlight specific technical details and illustrate the concepts presented in this guide.

Natural Systems for Wastewater Treatment, MOP FD-16, 3rd Edition covers soil-based treatment systems and aquatic-based treatment systems. The manual, available in paperback or as an e-book, includes up-to-date information on pond effluent treatment technologies for algae removal, floating aquatic treatment using periphyton, vertical flow constructed wetlands, and reciprocating operation of subsurface constructed wetlands.

More WEFTEC Resources and Information

Global Center

The WEFTEC 2009 exhibition floor. Photo courtesy of Oscar Einzig Photography. Click for larger image.

The global center at WEFTEC serves as the hub for international business activities, including trade delegation registration and support services for international attendees.

See the Global Opportunities page for more information. WEFTEC will host international companies in country pavilions on the exhibition floor. For more information, or to register as a trade delegation, contact WEF at (703) 684-2439.

Exhibition Floor
The exhibition floor is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 4 to 6. Get a head start on deciding what you want to see by viewing the floorplan.

New Orleans Hotels and Attractions
Book your transportation and housing today. Find more information about New Orleans, including local attractions, weather conditions, and conference center information, at www.neworleanscvb.com/weftec2010.

Spouse/Partner/Guest Lounge
The spouse/partner/guest lounge provides a central place for family and friends accompanying WEFTEC participants to relax and enjoy refreshments. Registration is required and includes access to the lounge, exhibition, and WEFTEC hotel shuttles.

Shuttle Bus Service
Shuttle bus service between some official WEFTEC hotels and the New Orleans Morial Convention Center will be provided to all WEFTEC registrants. Final routes and schedules will be posted onsite in each hotel’s lobby and published in the conference program and exhibitor guide.

August WEFTEC 2010 Preview in WE&T:

• An interview with Opening General Session keynote speaker Steven Solomon.
• WEFTEC sessions spotlight New Orleans.
• New petroleum, petrochemical workshops slated for WEFTEC.

September WEFTEC 2010 Preview in WE&T:

• Operations Challenge 2010: Teams gear up for an epic showdown in the Big Easy.
• Volunteer to make a difference in New Orleans: WEFTEC 2010 service project incorporates community outreach.
• Bringing energy to the forefront: Several technical sessions and workshops show ways that wastewater treatment plants can conserve and recover energy.
• Get the scoop on WEFTEC through tweets and posts.

Read more about the upcoming WEFTEC in articles featured in the August and September issues of WE&T. 

From the President: Shifting the Vision of Water Professionals

During my years as a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) officer, I have traveled across North America and around the globe, meeting and talking with water professionals. Often, I am asked what these experiences have taught me. So, for my final Highlights column, I thought I should share a few reflections. I have found that water professionals are a special breed, no matter where you go. Our fellow professionals are dedicated to public service, protecting public health and the environment. They are inspired by the challenge of turning waste and pollution into valuable resources. Maybe that is why I have found water professionals to be the most open, friendly, and fun group of people. I especially have enjoyed and have been honored to travel as your president. Note that I call us “water professionals,” not wastewater or drinking water professionals. There is only water. Efforts to compartmentalize its management into wastewater, water supply, or stormwater are misguided. Water is water no matter where it is found or how it is used. Effective management requires that we look at it holistically, as one resource to be protected and managed for human, ecologic, and economic benefit.

Paul Freedman, 2009–2010 WEF President.

In addition, we as water professionals cannot view our role narrowly, focusing only on urban issues and still expecting to find sustainable solutions. Universally, agricultural uses dominate consumption, representing 70% to 80% of consumptive uses. Some of our biggest pollution problems, such as depleted oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico and Chesapeake Bay, as well as numerous dead zones at coastal sites and hypereutrophic lakes worldwide, are caused by agricultural runoff. As water professionals, if we are to truly be the stewards of the water environment, we cannot ignore agricultural impacts. We have to voice our ideas and take part in managing these problems.

But broadening our scope requires collaboration. We as a profession complain about the siloed nature of water regulation and management, yet as an industry, we often compartmentalize our activities. If we want to have a real impact on public policy and water management, we have to push ourselves to break down our artificial barriers and collaborate professionally to create one harmonized voice, one message for water.

In the United States, we have focused more on our differences than our commonalities. This has all too often prevented us from converting our message into public policy and action. I challenge all water professionals and association members to focus on our common vision and work hard to align the activities, messaging, and advocacy of our numerous associations.

I suggest that this collaboration needs to go beyond our traditional partners on a national and international level. Water is the integrating fabric in our world, important for drinking water, sanitation, energy, commerce, agriculture, and ecology. If we want to make a significant difference that creates a sustainable, high-quality water future, then we need diverse partners. This might include what some would at times call adversaries, such as environmental advocacy, industry, energy, and agricultural groups. In the end, we all seek high-quality sustainable water resources. So, our challenge is to find the common ground and leverage our ideas, resources, and constituencies to create a better water future globally.

Another paradigm that has to change is the idea that water is completely a local issue. Nothing is farther from the truth. As a profession, we have largely changed our thinking to seeing water in the context of watersheds and basins, but many do not appreciate the need to be engaged in the global issues and exchanges. Pollution issues affecting water are now global issues, from mercury deposition to climate change. Also, international trade of goods and products, especially food, is now as much controlled by the availability of water as by the availability of people, technology, and lands.

In North America, we have an obligation to share our ideas and technologies with the world, but we also can benefit from technologies and approaches in places all around the globe. I have seen remarkable advances in my travels from Europe to Israel and Singapore, and from China to Australia. We all benefit from not only the exchange of goods but also the exchange of ideas and technologies. WEF is committed to this global participation.

Water professionals are presented with a challenge this century as population growth and water demands skyrocket. Our approach to water management is outdated, from a time when water was generally abundant. The mentality was to use it and dispose of it, drain it, and sometimes treat it, but all with the goal to get water out of our fields and cities. Well, that was then and this is now.

We need to invent whole new paradigms of how water and waste are managed in agriculture, industry, and society. We cannot continue to just repair and build more and bigger pipes, deeper wells, bigger plants, or larger dams and reservoirs. Water no longer can be treated as valueless resources to be used and discarded indiscriminately. We will have to develop approaches and technologies that treat water as a precious resource, reusing it and integrating our management strategies in cities as a feature and a resource.

I want to thank all of you for the honor and privilege to have served as your president, and allowing me to have the time of my life while working to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide.  

Paul Freedman, 2009–2010 WEF President 

Jim Cox Joins WEF as Biosolids Program Director

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) welcomes Jim Cox in the new position of Biosolids Program director.

In this role, Cox also will serve as project manager for the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP; Alexandria, Va.). Cox will lead the implementation of new initiatives that will enable WEF and NBP to better serve the biosolids community. NBP is making several improvements to its signature environmental management system (EMS) and audit program, modernizing its Web site to give the program a new look and offer greater technical resources, and offering additional training, including free quarterly webcasts on such topics as bioenergy and greenhouse gases, Cox said.

Cox earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in environmental sciences and engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech; Blacksburg). He worked as an environmental engineer for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for 11 years and as a manager in the Nonpoint Source Bureau of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for another 11 years. At DCR, Cox administered the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control program, Agricultural Best Management program, and Chesapeake Bay nonpoint source pollution control activities. Cox served for 6 years as executive director of the National Association of State Conservation Agencies (Alexandria, Va.) and most recently worked in environmental consulting, including an assignment managing the EMS program for the U.S. Army Materiel Command. 

Cox, a member of WEF since 1987 and current associate member of the Three Rivers Soil and Water Conservation District (Tappahannock, Va.), has been a leader in Virginia’s environmental community. He has been a member of the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Leadership Council and received a Distinguished Service Award from the college in 1988. In 1993, he received a Commendation Award from the Virginia Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (Ankena, Iowa) in 1993 and served as president of the organization in 2008. Cox also has been a member of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the Chesapeake Bay Program (Annapolis, Md.) and a board member of the Virginia Conservation Network (Richmond).

“After a long and varied career in the environmental field at all levels, I am truly excited to be able to work for WEF,” Cox said. “I am familiar with the technical and management issues related to biosolids, and my recent experience in directing the EMS program at Fort Belvoir [Va.] has better prepared me for this challenge.”

Jennifer Fulcher, WEF Highlights

In Memoriam: Robert F. Roskopf, Former WEF Treasurer

Robert F. Roskopf, of Minnetonka, Minn., member of the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) since 1964, and WEF treasurer from 1991 to 1994, died July 9 at the age of 71 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

“Bob was a good man in every sense of the word, who always set a good example for those around him, both in his work life and his home life,” said his wife, Chris Roskopf. “He was glad to serve his professional organization, and we both felt it was a privilege to represent WEF as we traveled around to various meetings.” Roskopf received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University (Ames). He worked for the U.S. Public Health Service in Pennsylvania for 2 years before returning to Ames to attend graduate school at Iowa State, where he earned master’s and Ph.D. degrees in environmental engineering, according to Roskopf’s obituary in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Photo courtesy of Chris Roskopf.

During graduate school, Roskopf worked as assistant director of water treatment and pollution control for the City of Ames. While working for the city, Roskopf joined WEF and participated in the organization in various capacities, Chris Roskopf said. He then went to work for the engineering consulting firm Rieke, Carrol, Muller in Hopkins, Minn., for 28 years, before retiring in 1998. While at the company, Roskopf was manager of environmental engineering before becoming president and chief executive officer in 1982, the obituary says. 

In 1991, Roskopf received a Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering from the College of Engineering at Iowa State. In addition to being WEF treasurer, Roskopf was awarded honorary membership to WEF in 1996. He also was a past president of the Central States Water Environment Federation (Crystal Lake, Ill.) and received the Arthur Sidney Bedell Award in 1988. He also was a life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (Reston, Va.), American Academy of Environmental Engineers (Annapolis, Md.), American Water Works Association (Denver), and National Society of Professional Engineers (Alexandria, Va.), the obituary says. 

WEF Seeks New Executive Director

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) is seeking a new executive director, following the announcement by Bill Bertera, WEF’s executive director for the past 10 years, that he will leave the organization effective Dec. 31. The WEF Board of Trustees hired and is working closely with the consulting firm Korn/Ferry International (Los Angeles), which is managing the search, with the goal of having a new executive director in place by early 2011. Interested candidates may view the position description and apply here. The new executive director will oversee a staff of nearly 100 and will be based in the organization’s Alexandria, Va., headquarters.

Reviewers Needed for Basic Laboratory Procedures Special Publication

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) is updating its Manual of Practice Basic Laboratory Procedures for Wastewater Process Control and Permit Reporting so it includes current method references, up-to-date preservation methods, information on representative sampling and completing the Discharge Monitoring Report, and process control information to answer the questions of how and why to run a particular test. To ensure high-quality data, each method in the book will include appropriate quality assurance and quality control information.

The publication, designed to be used in the field by wastewater treatment plant operators, will focus on applicability to wastewater operations and include practice and study questions for operator training. Operators will learn to interpret the test results to better troubleshoot process control problems. The book will include photocopy-ready procedures and bench sheets.

Publication of the manual is set for January 2012. The project, being led by Sidney Innerebner, has officially launched, and the first draft will be ready for review in December. If you are interested in participating as a reviewer, would be able to work closely with WEF staff, and can dedicate the expertise and time to ensuring the development of a high-quality manual according to the publication schedule, contact Britt Sheinbaum at bsheinbaum@wef.org.  

WEF Introduces New Trade and Professional Journal

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.), WateReuse Association (Alexandria), and WateReuse Research Foundation (Alexandria) launched the trade and professional journal World Water: Water Reuse & Desalination™. Designed to address the informational, technical, and operational needs of professionals, the collaborative journal will be unveiled this month.

WEF and WateReuse initially will publish the journal quarterly in both print and electronic formats, with plans to expand it by publishing six annual print and electronic issues by the end of 2011, with translation into Chinese and Arabic to follow.

Modeled after the WEF publication World Water, the new journal will cover editorial topics such as potable water and industry reuse issues; seawater desalination; water quality issues in reuse and desalination processes; and the financial, policy, and public acceptance aspects of water reuse and desalination. 

Submit an Abstract for the Industrial Wastewater Seminar 2011

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) is seeking abstract submissions for the Industrial Wastewater Seminar 2011. The seminar will be held May 9 to 10 at Bally’s Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J. Attendees will examine water and wastewater management approaches being applied to improve overall environmental performance, challenging issues, and difficult-to-treat constituents of industries being challenged to provide environmentally sustainable water management strategies and wastewater treatment. The deadline to submit an abstract is Sept. 10. Submit your abstract online. For more information, see the full call for abstracts. 

Participate in World Water Monitoring Day

The time has come for individuals and groups around the world to celebrate World Water Monitoring Day™ (WWMD) on Sept. 18. The international education and outreach program, coordinated by the Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) and the International Water Association (London), raises public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources. An easy-to-use test kit enables everyone to sample local waterbodies for a core set of water quality parameters and submit results to be shared with participating communities around the world through the WWMD Web site. Anyone can monitor between March 22 and Dec. 31. The deadline to submit data to the WWMD database is Dec. 31. Find out how to celebrate WWMD at Hains Point in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 16, find another scheduled event near you, or organize your own by visiting www.worldwatermonitoringday.org. Purchase materials at the online store, or have free materials shipped directly to you for your event by submitting the materials request form.

Attend the 25th Annual WateReuse Symposium

The Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.), WateReuse Association (Alexandria), and American Water Works Association (Denver) will hold the 25th Annual WateReuse Symposium Sept. 12 to 15 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The conference will cover topics that include desalination case studies; potable reuse; green building, green thinking, and reuse applications; financing, pricing, rates, and economics of desalination and reuse; and regulatory, institutional, and legal issues of desalination and reuse. 

First International Organization and First Municipal Facility in New England Receive NBP EMS Certifications

From the left, WEF Executive Director Bill Bertera presents Greater Moncton Sewerage Commissioner Ronald LeBlanc with the NBP EMS certification plaque during a ceremony on June 15.

The Greater Moncton Sewerage Commission (Riverview, New Brunswick) became the 29th organization to be certified and admitted to the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP; Alexandria, Va.) environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program. It is the first organization outside the United States to be certified.

The Lewiston–Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority in Lewiston, Maine, became the 30th organization to be certified and admitted to the NBP EMS for biosolids program. It is the first municipal facility in New England to be certified.

Both certifications recognize the effective biosolids EMSs at these locations. Currently, 100 organizations participate in the NBP EMS program.  

Meet WEF’s Newest Life Members

James Crook, member since Jan. 1, 1975, New England Water Environment Association (Woburn, Mass.).
	Photo courtesy of James Crook.
Philip F. Wood, member since Jan. 1, 1975, Kentucky–Tennessee Water Environment Association (Louisville, Ky.).
	Photo courtesy of Philip F. Wood.
Michael J. Brinker Jr., member since Jan. 1, 1974, New Jersey Water Environment Association (Fair Lawn).
Jules Leibman, member since Jan. 1, 1966, New York Water Environment Association (Syracuse).
Ron Mayo, member since Jan. 1, 1971, Water Environment Association of Texas (Austin) and Oklahoma Water Environment Association (Tulsa).
Richard J. Otis, member since Jan. 1, 1970, Central States Water Environment Association (Crystal Lake, Ill.).
Thomas J. Quinn, member since Jan. 1, 1965, Ohio Water Environment Association (Columbus).
Gino Silvestri, member since Jan. 1, 1969, Ohio Water Environment Association.
Charles J. Vasulka, member since Jan. 1, 1971, Ohio Water Environment Association.

WEF Announces Water-Sector Interdependencies Training

Safe drinking water and wastewater treatment and service are essential to the public health and economic vitality of any society. Preparing to promote drinking water and wastewater services during and following an incident will reduce hardships.

To help utilities prepare, the Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, will hold a series of general awareness trainings on water-sector interdependencies:

• Sept. 14–15 in Jefferson City, Mo.
• Sept. 28–29 in Harrisburg, Pa.
• Oct. 7–8 in New Orleans
• Oct. 12–13 in Marlborough, Mass.
• Oct. 28–29 in Kissimmee, Fla.
• Nov. 2–3 in Salt Lake City
• Nov. 30–Dec. 1 in Austin, Texas
• Jan. 18–19 in New Haven, Conn.  

WEF Exhibits at 2010 Boy Scout Jamboree

Boy Scout Jamboree 2010. Click for larger image.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) exhibited at 2010 Boy Scouts of America (Irving, Texas) Jamboree, marking the fourth time WEF has exhibited at the event. A total of 42 WEF volunteers helped during the event held July 26 to Aug. 3 at Fort A.P. Hill in Bowling Green, Va. More than 9000 scouts and leaders visited WEF’s exhibit to learn about watershed protection, wastewater infrastructure needs, sewer system overflow prevention, wastewater treatment, and water quality monitoring. For more information see the Boy Scout Jamboree photo gallery or the Boy Scout Jamboree blog entries.  

WEF Announces the International Pavilion Program for 2010–2011

WEF Pavilion — IFAT ENTSORGA 2010
If you are attending IFAT ENTSORGA 2010, Sept. 13–17 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre in Germany, visit the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Pavilion in Hall A5.303–404E. Twenty companies from several countries, including Canada, Germany, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States, will display their goods and services under the WEF banner.

Companies exhibiting at the IFAT ENTSORGA 2010 WEF Pavilion include ADI Systems Inc. (Fredericton, New Brunswick), Aeration Industries International Inc. (Minneapolis), APG–Neuros Inc. (Boisbriand, Québec), Applied Spectrometry Associates Inc. (Waukesha, Wis.), Aqua-Aerobics Systems Inc. (Rockford, Ill.), Arges Artima Makina San. Tic. Ltd. Sti. (Ankara, Turkey), Berlie–Falco Technologies Inc. (La Prairie, Quebec), Bio-Microbics Inc. (Shawnee, Kan.), Calgon Carbon Corp. (Pittsburgh), Carus Europe (Llanera, Spain), FRC Systems International LLC (Cumming, Ga.), Pacific Consolidated Industries (Riverside, Calif.), Petersen Products Co. LLC (Fredonia, Wis.), Phoenix Process Equipment Co. (Louisville, Ky.), Red Valve Co. Inc./Tideflex Technologies (Carnegie, Pa.), Ross Valve Manufacturing Co. Inc. (Troy, N.Y.), SEKISUI NordiTube Inc. (Schneider-Schaulenberg, Germany), Selwood (Eastleigh, England), Standard Sand & Silica Co. (Davenport, Fla.), and Komline-Sanderson (Peapack, N.J.).

WEF Pavilion — Convención de ANEAS 2010
Mexico’s National Infrastructure Program includes increasing wastewater treatment to 60% of water collected. This will come at an estimated cost of more than $14 billion and massive overhauls of current infrastructure. The convention will be held Nov. 9–13, and the exposition will be held Nov. 10–13 in Mexico City. Exhibit materials are now available.

2011 WEF International Pavilion Shows
EverythingAboutWater Expo 2011
Jan. 6–8, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

WETEX 2011
March 8–10, Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre, United Arab Emirates

IFAT China + China Water Show 2011
May (dates to be determined), Shanghai New International Expo Centre, China

Aquatech Amsterdam 2011
Nov. 1–4, Amsterdam [Rijwiel en Automobiel Industrie] RAI

WATEC Israel 2011
Nov. 15–17, Tel Aviv Exhibition Centre, Israel

For more information click here, or contact Laila Sukkariyyah at lsukkariyyah@wef.org. 

Attend the Impaired Waters Symposium 2011

Impaired Waters Symposium 2011: Spanning the Water Quality Continuum — From Standards to TMDLs

Jan. 12–13, Hilton Miami Downtown

The symposium will bring together water practitioners to exchange information on the challenges and opportunities from new and more-stringent numeric water quality standards for parameters, as well as the increased precision and scale of pollutant and source detection. 

Sneak Peek at 2011 Conferences

Nutrient Recovery and Management

Jan. 9–12, 2011, Miami

The conference will discuss recent developments in nutrient management practices in industrial and municipal wastewater treatment systems and solutions, from conventional biological nutrient removal treatment to enhanced nutrient reduction.


The Utility Management Conference

Feb. 8–11, 2011, Denver

Water and wastewater managers and professionals will gather to hear the latest approaches, practices, processes, techniques, case studies, and research in all aspects of utility management. 

New Tool Provides Guidance for Including Energy Efficiency in Solicitations

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (Boston), in cooperation with the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.), released the Energy Efficiency RFP Guidance for Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. The guidance provides water utilities, cities, and towns with ready-to-use language to help them include energy-efficiency requirements in solicitations for design services. Municipal officials can use the guidance to simplify and streamline the request for proposal (RFP) process, help cities and towns tap into federal funding, and help make energy efficiency a standard feature of treatment facilities. The guidance provides information and tools to help cities and towns gain access to the energy savings potential in their treatment facilities.