December 2016 Digest

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Operations Takes Center Stage at WEFTEC 2016

Operator accomplishments and skills took center stage the morning of Sept. 28 in the Innovation Pavilion during WEFTEC^© 2016. The event, “A Celebration of Operator Innovation, Excellence, and Professionalism,” spanned the breadth of what operators do, from fixing problems to pursuing continuing education to motivating others to serving as core team members in well-run utilities.

My Water Legacy: Growing the Profession, One Science Fair at a Time

Laurie Perkins’ interest in civil engineering dates back to a junior high science fair project. The idea for the project was sparked by a tour her father, Charles “Chuck” Terry, gave of his then-workplace, the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District’s North Andover Treatment Facility (Andover, Mass.). And now Perkins is passing along knowledge of the water sector to her son.

This WEF Legacy Family Highlights article is part of #MyWaterLegacy.

From the President: Earning Legitimacy for the Water Sector

The sociological concept of “legitimacy” means that individuals and groups recognize and accept the appropriateness of an authority to lead. This concept becomes even more important to the water sector as communities implement seemingly more complex and controversial projects, particularly those seeking to implement potable reuse.

Women in Water: Making a Difference

What happens when you bring together a diverse group of professional women in the water sector to find ways to bring creativity, innovation, and work-life balance into their daily lives? A lot of lively conversation, discovery, and inspiration takes place. As water sector professionals gathered at the Women in Water Breakfast during WEFTEC, the room filled with conversation and bright ideas.

Water Leadership Institute Continues to Provide Opportunities

I marvel at how much the experience I gained as a student of the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Water Leadership Institute (WLI) continues to affect me almost 2 years later. When I was asked to participate on the steering committee for the 2016 WLI program, I gladly accepted.

WEFTEC Tote Bags Repurposed as Wheelchair Accessories

During WEFTEC^® 2016, orange-and-black tote bags given to attendees made appearances across New Orleans. Just one month after WEFTEC, these bags traveled some 4800 km (3000 mi.) south and could be seen on the backs of wheelchairs in Lima, Peru.

Certificate Program at Skagit Valley College Equips Students To Protect Public Health

Students at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, Wash., can choose to study everything from home brewing to urban sketching. But Pacific Northwesterners looking to start a career can take advantage of a certificate program at the college that will put them on the front line of protecting public health and the environment in less than a year.

Potable Reuse Cartoon Introduces Kids to Sustainability

Padre Dam Municipal Water District (PDMWD; Santee, Calif.) hopes to build public support for its East County Advanced Water Purification Program with a 2-minute video featuring a message for all ages.

Teams from Minnesota and Texas Win WEF’s 2016 Student Design Competition

Apply and Nominate WEF Fellows

Meet WEF’s Newest Life Members

WEF Hosts Exclusive Members-Only Event on Water Innovation

Water Sector Coordinating Council Elects New Officials

Focusing on Water Reuse in January WEF Webcast

Develop New Skills in WEF’s Water Leadership Institute’

WEF Staff Learn About WIFIA from U.S. EPA

Value of Water Campaign Represents New Name with Action

WEF and Others Ask Congress to Fund Infrastructure Financing Programs