January 2014 at a Glance

January 31, 2014

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Other News

Wipes in Pipes Cause Costly Problems for Water Resource Recovery Facilities

Many wastewater treatment professionals agree that clogged pipes can cause big and costly problems. As these problems arise, Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) members are documenting costs spent on maintenance and repairs and are working to identify culprits.

Attention Toilet Enthusiasts!

Los Angeles area gets America’s first restroom-themed restaurant

Not many restaurant openings capture the attention of Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) staff. But then again, not many restaurants sport the ambiance and décor of a water closet.

The place is the Magic Restroom Café (City of Industry, Calif.), the first restaurant in America to celebrate toilets, bathrooms, and their associated trappings.

DC Water’s Taste Test Challenge Sells the Idea of Tap Water

Majority prefers tap or can’t tell the difference between tap and bottled water

DC Water (Washington, D.C.) has been working to spread the message that tap water tastes great and offers a cheaper, more environmentally friendly alternative to Washington, D.C.-area residents. The utility has been hosting taste test challenges and partnering with the organization TapIt (New York) on various outreach efforts including the recent release of a tap-water locator app, according to Nicole Condon, water communications coordinator for DC Water.

New Operator Programs, Change Is in the Air

Operators must be experts at understanding the basis of design data they are responsible for collecting and interpreting, educated in presenting that material in formal reports, and recognized as professionals through an organization responsible for certification of engineering technologists. Hiring better educated and prepared personnel when replacing increasing numbers of retiring operators or simply meeting the normal hiring demands will pay long-term dividends.

Interactive Learning Offered Online in USGS Water Science School

Take learning about water to the Web through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Science School. The website, launched in 1997, helps anyone age 6 or older become a water student.