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International Water Leaders Discuss Global Issues, Trends

January 15, 2021

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In the January 2021 issue of Water Environment & Technology (WE&T) magazine, water leaders from around the world discuss their approaches to universal challenges including climate change and workforce issues. Click here to read the full State of the Sector 2021 section in WE&T magazine. Image courtesy of PIRO4D/Pixabay

The January 2021 issue of Water Environment & Technology magazine includes sound-offs from water sector leaders around the world, who described how their organizations contend with such universal challenges as climate change, workforce issues, and flood management. Their remarks were abbreviated for space in print. Full comments are presented below. Janett Tapia — The Netherlands In […]

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What We Can Learn From COVID-19

August 21, 2020

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Robert Pontau, Jr., a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia) member and assistant general manager of the Brunswick (Maine) Sewer District, recently reflected on how working in WRRF management during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed his perspective. Image courtesy of Pixabay

The COVID-19 pandemic has attracted widespread attention to how WRRFs approach biohazard preparedness, worker safety, and personnel management. Staggered schedules, erratic shifts, and stringent safety protocols have become another part of the job for wastewater professionals. Robert Pontau, Jr., a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia) member and assistant general manager of the Brunswick (Maine) […]

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U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize Winner Focuses on Oil Spills, Penguins

July 20, 2020

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Zoe Gotthold, a high-school student from Richland, Washington, won the 2020 U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition for her investigation into mitigating environmental damages from oil spills. In August, Gotthold will compete against national-level winners from 28 other countries during a virtual event. Image courtesy of Gotthold

Innovative devices to help clean up oil spills won Washington high-school student Zoe Gotthold the 2020 U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) competition, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia) announced in late June. Her project now advances to the international competition in August, where she will represent the U.S. against 28 other countries. Plastics […]

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Collections Systems Professionals Invent New Tools for Battle Against Non-Flushables

June 30, 2020

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Northumbrian Water sewerage maintenance operative Mark McCone overlooks the Porcupine (left), a tool invented by colleague Ray Armstrong in 2014 to prevent blockages related to woven wipes and identify their sources. McCone recently invented two successors to the Porcupine, named the Stinger and the Sentinel. Image courtesy of Northumbrian Water

Flushing household products – such as wet wipes for restroom use or cosmetic wipes for removing makeup – is a global issue for the wastewater sector. These products are often mislabeled as “flushable” despite their inability to disperse in conventional collections systems. Flushing them can result in costly and messy septic backups, environmental contamination, and […]

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WEF Member Weaves Suspense, Substance in Debut Novel

April 22, 2020

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Murder in the Primary is the first mystery novel set at a water resource recovery facility. Written by John Seldon, a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Life Member, the recently published novel balances the technical aspects of wastewater treatment with the suspense of a murder mystery.  Image courtesy of Rock’s Mills Press (Oakville, Ontario)

Murder in the Primary is the first mystery novel set at a water resource recovery facility. Written by John Seldon, a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Life Member, the recently published novel balances the technical aspects of wastewater treatment with the suspense of a murder mystery. Image courtesy of Rock’s Mills Press (Oakville, Ontario) […]

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WEF Offers Free Access to Technical Materials Until June 30

April 14, 2020

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The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia) is offering individuals who have never been WEF members free access to its broad range of technical materials through June 30. Click here for details.

During the coronavirus pandemic, much of the water-sector workforce is working longer hours with smaller operations teams, placing unprecedented pressures on their individual skills and experiences. At the same time, many water professionals are spending more time at home due to social-distancing requirements, providing a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge base and develop as […]

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Wristbands for Water

February 21, 2020

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Wristsponsible is a social enterprise that purchases bracelets handmade by artisans in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. It then resells those bracelets around the world to help finance water infrastructure projects for communities that face crucial water and sanitation needs. Image courtesy of Kevin Sofen/Wristsponsible

How entrepreneur Kevin Sofen turns untapped craftsmanship into clean-water results Raised along California’s Pacific coast and later settling near Lake Michigan in Chicago, Kevin Sofen has spent much of his life around water. The founder and CEO of the social entrepreneurship business Wristsponsible (Chicago), Sofen’s love for living shoreside goes hand-in-hand with his commitment to […]

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NEWEA Merger Closes Distance Between Practitioners and Innovators

February 13, 2020

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At the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) Annual Conference and Exhibition in January, the organization formally announced a merger with the North East Water Innovation Network (NEWIN). The partnership will accelerate the development and implementation of new technologies by breaking down barriers between water and wastewater treatment practitioners and the businesses that support them. Image courtesy of NEWEA

For years, the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) and the North East Water Innovation Network (NEWIN) have served two critical segments of the northeastern U.S. water sector. NEWEA, a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Member Association, supports practitioners on the frontlines of water and wastewater treatment while technology accelerator NEWIN provides resources for […]

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