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WEF's membership newsletter covers current Federation activities, Member Association news, and items of concern to the water quality field. WEF Highlights is your source for the most up-to-the-minute WEF news and member information.

December 2011, Vol. 48, No. 10

Top Story

WEF Board Approves Renewable Energy Position Statement

During WEFTEC^® 2011, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Board of Trustees approved a new position statement, “Renewable Energy Generation From Wastewater.” The statement calls for wastewater-generated energy to be widely recognized as a renewable resource and for a greater drive for innovation in the water sector.

“With the passage of this statement, WEF is encouraging our sector to lead the way in helping communities recover resources from wastewater,” said Jeanette Brown, immediate past president of WEF. The position statement outlines WEF’s belief in recognizing wastewater-generated energy as a renewable resource that can stimulate greater production from water resource recovery activities, create more clean-energy jobs, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The statement also details WEF’s belief that wastewater facilities have the potential to be energy-neutral or even net-energy producers, but that reaching the goal of energy neutrality relies on achieving a holistic energy management approach, incorporating conservation practices, and generating renewable energy through the management of water resource recovery and its by-products.

“WEF leaders believe that emerging technologies can surely advance the potential for renewable energy from wastewater,” said WEF Executive Director Jeff Eger. “WEF will work with stakeholders and partners who share our vision for resource recovery and will also help build understanding of the potential role of wastewater treatment facilities. It’s exciting to consider where the future could take us in terms of water quality innovation, and I’m proud to be a part of that process.”

WEF Forms Stormwater Committee

At WEFTEC^® 2011, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Board of Trustees voted to sunset the Stormwater Coordinating Council (SWCC) and form a Stormwater Committee (SWC). The SWC will lead WEF’s efforts to encourage innovative approaches, sound management strategies, policy engagement, and enhanced public outreach for stormwater professionals.

“WEF recognizes the importance of stormwater management in the compliment of professionals addressing the challenging water quality issues of this century,” said Mike Beezhold, new SWC chair. The SWC will be co-chaired by Wing Tam with help from Tad Slawecki, past vice chair of the SWCC. Apply to join the committee.

Help Spread the Word About Water’s Worth It™

Water's Worth It™, the new WEF messaging campaign had a pilot launch at WEFTEC 2011 seen below. Photos courtesy of Oscar Ezing Photography. Click for larger images.

Following the successful pilot launch of WEF’s new messaging campaign — Water’s Worth It™ — at WEFTEC 2011, the Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) has been using members’ feedback to develop initial campaign materials and to prepare for the campaign’s official launch on World Water Day in March 2012. Expect to see a new campaign website that will feature resources and materials that you can customize to reach any audience, about any water-related issue, in any location. Read Jeff Eger’s campaign Question & Answer document and for more information, contact Lori Harrison at lharrison@wef.org.

Water's Worth It at WEFTEC 2011 2 Small(2)

WEFTEC 2010 Ranks on Trade Show Executive’s Gold 100 List

WEFTEC^® 2010 recently was ranked by Trade Show Executive magazine as 55th in its annual Gold 100 List. The Gold 100 ranks the top 100 trade shows each year based on net square footage of exhibits and attendance figures. This year’s ranking represented a jump of 14 spots from the previous year’s ranking of 69 for WEFTEC 2009. WEFTEC 2010 in New Orleans featured the largest exhibition floor in the event’s history, with 27,434 m² (295,295 ft²), and was attended by 17,515 water professionals.

WEF Executive Director Speaks at U.S. Conference of Mayors Urban Water Council Meeting

Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Executive Director Jeff Eger provided the morning keynote address, “Unleashing the Creativity and Innovation of our Water professionals to Achieve Clean Water Goals,” at the Oct. 27–28 Mayors Water Summit. The U.S. Conference of Mayors (Washington, D.C.) urban water council met at the summit to discuss current legislative and regulatory issues and discussed opportunities for innovation in the water sector.

Eger talked about the need for municipal leaders and regulators to embrace innovative solutions, even when there may be some risk involved. Eger’s remarks prompted a discussion in which many noted their own efforts to promote new approaches to water management and frustration with existing regulatory and financial requirements that hinder adoption of these solutions. For more information, click here.

WEF Presents Awards for Advertising

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) presented the following awards in recognition of outstanding contribution to the water environment field through the effective and original presentation of equipment and services in a WEF periodical:

Best Overall

	Full page — Hayward Flow Control (Elizabeth, N.J.); Agency: SCALES Advertising (St. Paul, Minn.)
	Less than full page — Black & Veatch (Overland Park, Kan.)

Best Presentation of Information

	Full page — WesTech Engineering Inc. (Salt Lake City)
	Less than full page — The Bilco Co. (New Haven, Conn.); Agency: Catalyst Marketing Communications (Stamford, Conn.)

Best Design

	Full page — CDM (Cambridge, Mass.)
	Less than full page — NACE International (Houston)

Best Campaign

Lakeside Equipment Corp. (Bartlett, Ill.)

WEF Announces Winners of 2011 Student Paper Competition

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) announced that Mark Ludwigson and Alexander S. Gorzalski were the winners of the 2011 WEF Student Paper Competition. Both represented the Central States Water Environment Association, received award money made possible through WEF sponsorship from Black & Veatch (Overland Park, Kan.) and CDM (Cambridge, Mass.), and attended the WEFTEC^® 2011 Poster Symposium Oct. 16. Ludwigson, from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, won in the masters division and Gorzalski, from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, won in the undergraduate division.

Accepting Applications for 2012 WEF Fellows Program

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) is accepting applications and nominations for the 2012 WEF Fellows Program. The program recognizes the professional achievements and the effects members have made in the practice areas served by WEF, including — but not limited to — design, education, operations, regulation, research, and utility management and leadership.

WEF Fellows applicants and nominees will be considered by a selection committee and approved by the WEF Board of Trustees. If you or another member deserves recognition for professional achievements and have a minimum of 5 consecutive years of WEF membership and a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in a practice area served by WEF, submit an application or nomination today.

The deadline to submit applications and nominations is Feb. 1, 2012. For more information, see www.wef.org/weffellowsprogram, or contact Theresa Mixon at tmixon@wef.org.

Meet WEF’s Newest Life Members

David Borrowman, member since Jan. 1, 1972, Water Environment Association of Utah and New York Water Environment Association.

Photo courtesy of David Borrowman.

Edward Boyajian, member since Jan. 1, 1971, New England Water Environment Association.

Photo courtesy of Edward Boyajian.

Clyde H. Burnett, member since Jan. 1, 1975, Louisiana Water Environment Association.

Photo courtesy of Clyde H. Burnett.

Majid A. Chaudhry, member since Jan. 1 1976, Illinois Water Environment Association.

Photo courtesy of Majid A. Chaundhry.

Frank J. Drehwing, member since Jan. 1, 1973, Water Environment Association of South Carolina.

Photo courtesy of Frank J. Drehwing.

Michael J. McGuire, member since Jan 1, 1971, California Water Environment Association.

Photo courtesy of Michael J. McGuire.

Vladimir Novotny, member since Jan. 1, 1972, New England Water Environment Association.

Photo courtesy of Vladimir Novotny.

Kerwin L. Rakness, member since Jan. 1, 1969, Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association.

Photo courtesy of Kerwin L. Rakness.

Almon Shen, member since Jan. 1, 1969, California Water Environment Association.

Photo courtesy of Almon Shen.

Herman B. Engelbert, member since Jan. 1, 1977, New Jersey Water Environment Association.

Philip E. Gerwert, member since Jan. 1, 1974, Michigan Water Environment Association.

John Reale, member since Jan. 1, 1976, Illinois Water Environment Association.

Charles T. Regula, member since Jan. 1, 1973, Ohio Water Environment Association.

David L. Russell, member Jan. 1, 1974, Georgia Association of Water Professionals.

Thomas Switalski, member since Jan. 1, 1976, Pennsylvania Water Environment Association and New York Water Environment Association.

G. Ben Turnipseed, member since Jan. 1, 1971, Georgia Association of Water Professionals.

Introducing WEFTEC On Demand

Were you or your colleagues unable to make it to WEFTEC^® this year? WEFTEC On Demand offers immediate access to nearly 150 presentations via synced PowerPoint slides, audio, and a select number of video presentations. See the latest in water quality information delivered to you through an online player accessible anytime, anywhere. See www.weftec.org/OnDemand for more information.

Webcasts Offer Online Educational Opportunities

The webcast “Evaluating Stormwater Outreach: Is Anyone Listening?,” which is scheduled for 2–3 p.m. on Dec. 14, will teach participants how to evaluate whether a municipality’s communications reach key audiences, how well these communication efforts effect change, and how measuring stormwater outreach makes financial management sense while ensuring compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/municipal separate storm water sewer system permit requirements. There is no cost to participate in this webcast. Register here.

Educational Opportunities in 2012

The Utility Management Conference™ 2012
Jan. 30–Feb. 2, Hyatt Regency Miami
Attendees will learn about the latest approaches, practices, processes, techniques, case studies, and research on all aspects of utility management. The conference features the Utility Leader Forum, and sessions will relate to the Ten Attributes of Effectively Management Water Sector Utilities and the Five Keys to Management Success.

AWWA 2012 Sustainable Water Management Conference & Exposition
March 18–21, Marriott Portland (Ore.) Waterfront Hotel
The Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) is a partner with the American Water Works Association (Denver) for this conference that focuses on large-scale sustainability issues related to water supply and management topics, such as water conservation; urban planning and design; and sustainable utilities, infrastructure, and communities.

Residuals and Biosolids 2012: Advancing Residuals Management: Technologies and Applications
March 25–28, Raleigh (N.C.) Convention Center
This conference will highlight beneficial use options, science, and technologies currently available to leverage biosolids as a valuable resource.

Odors and Air Pollutants 2012
April 15–18, Kentucky International Convention Center (Louisville)
The conference features presentations, interactive discussions, posters, workshops, and exhibits focusing on real-life experience and lessons learned.

Stormwater Symposium 2012
July 18–20, Sheraton Baltimore City Center
The event will focus on national issues, including the proposed national stormwater rulemaking, regional issues, developing technologies, and management approaches key to growing and evolving the topic of stormwater. More than 200 abstracts have been submitted to be included in the program. “The initial overwhelming interest in the symposium is reflective of the growing need for information and direction in the field of stormwater management,” said Mike Beezhold, Stormwater Committee chair.

Upcoming WEFMAX Meetings

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) has announced the schedule for 2012 WEFMAX meetings. At these meetings, WEF leaders have the opportunity to discuss challenges, share successes, and become acquainted with WEF staff and Member Association leaders. The 2012 WEFMAX meetings are scheduled for

March 8–9 in Sedona, Ariz.;
April 12–13 in Fayetteville, Ark.;
April 19–20 (location to be determined); and
May 17–18 in Indianapolis.

Global Opportunities for New Markets and Sales

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) International Pavilions provide companies with a cost-effective direct marketing opportunity to introduce and distribute products and services into the global market. WEF International Pavilions give businesses with development plans in the Middle East, China, Singapore, and Europe an opportunity to exhibit under the WEF banner in a prime location and reach out to thousands of new potential customers.

Water Today India 2012
The event provides access to the Indian water market, which exceeds $8 billion and is continuing to grow at 10% to 12% every year. In 2011, this event featured 16,000 attendees from 63 countries and 252 exhibiting companies from 25 countries.

Feb. 7–9, Chennai, India

WETEX Dubai 2012
The show grew 40% from 2010, featuring 9900 attendees from 63 countries and 420 exhibiting companies from 28 countries. The show will tackle energy conservation, water, and electricity issues and provides access to the United Arab Emirates market, which is projected to invest more than $46 billion in environmental and pollution control projects in the next decade.

March 13–15, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

IFAT + China Water Show 2012
The Chinese government will allocate $454 billion to environmental protection in the course of the next 5 years. The show, which in 2010 attracted 22,000 attendees from 84 countries and 839 exhibiting companies form 26 countries, provides access to this growing environmental industry.

March 7–9, Shanghai

IFAT ENTSORGA Germany 2012
The trade fair for environmental solutions provides a unique exhibiting venue with a single access point to the entire European environmental market. The event attracted 110,000 attendees from 85 countries and 2730 exhibiting companies from 49 countries in 2010.

May 7–11, Munich

Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2012
SIWW is the global platform for water solutions, bringing policymakers, industry leaders, experts, and practitioners together to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities, and celebrate achievements in water. The 2011 event attracted 13,500 visitors from 99 countries and regions and 600 exhibiting companies from 40 countries.

July 1–5, Singapore

For more information, click here, or contact Cari Zimmerman at (703) 535-5266, (703) 795-2518, or czimmerman@wef.org.

WEF Supports Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) submitted a letter of support for the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2011(H.R. 3145). The bill, introduced on Oct. 11 by Reps. Tim Bishop (D–N.Y.), Nick Rahall (D–W.V.), Tom Petri (R–Wis.), and Steven C. LaTourette (R–Ohio), renews the federal commitment to addressing the needs for wastewater infrastructure by investing $13.8 billion in the State Revolving Fund (SRF), proposing two initiatives for the long-term financing of wastewater infrastructure, and reinstating the application of Davis-Bacon prevailing wages for the construction of wastewater treatment infrastructure.

WEF was among 45 organizations that submitted letters of support for the bill. WEF and its water sector partners have worked during the past year to promote legislation to create a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority (WIFIA) program. WIFIA would leverage available federal funds and serve as a complement to the Clean Water SRF.

“This legislation not only recognizes the need for federal investment to protect the gains we have made in water quality over the past four decades,” said WEF Executive Director Jeff Eger. “It also addresses the unique challenges of the 21st century by prioritizing innovative approaches to sustainable water management.”

WEF Co-Sponsors Briefing on Green Infrastructure

Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) and American Rivers (Washington, D.C.), in association with the American Society of Landscape Architects (Washington, D.C.) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (Washington, D.C.), co-sponsored the congressional briefing, “Reducing Costs and Spurring Job Growth: Using Green Infrastructure Practices to Protect and Restore Clean Water for Communities,” on Oct. 25. WEF Executive Director Jeff Eger moderated the event.

The briefing highlighted the multiple economic benefits of green infrastructure practices as an integral component of stormwater management to protect clean water. The briefing covered information on the problem of stormwater and its management using the traditional approach, the growing paradigm shift toward green infrastructure and its economic benefits, and successful case studies using green infrastructure. See a PDF of the slides presented during the briefing.

WEF Hosts Congressional Briefing on Updated USGS Nutrient Tool, Supports Funding for Water Quality Monitoring

On Oct. 28, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) and the Northeast-Midwest Institute (Washington, D.C.) hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill to inform congressional staffers and other interested parties about an updated Web-based decision support system developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and National Water Quality Assessment (NWQA) program. The event was moderated by WEF Government Affairs Committee Vice-chair Alan Vicory, who is the executive director for the Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (Cincinnati).

The USGS presented updates of the SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) watershed modeling tool, and state officials from Minnesota and Tennessee gave presentations on how their programs utilize this tool.

On Nov. 2, WEF and NAWQA staff met with USGS Director Marcia McNutt to discuss funding for NAWQA. The meeting centered on the long-term trend of budget cuts in this program, which have led to the elimination of nearly 80% of monitoring sites compared to the peak of the program in the late 1990s.

All parties agreed that good, reliable, nationally consistent water quality data are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of water quality management programs and to identify long-term water quality trends and emerging problems. McNutt expressed support to hold the funding line and the need to raise the importance of water quality monitoring at the congressional level.

WEF has joined with other concerned partners to support adequate federal funding for NAWQA.

WEF Submits Letters on Water Quality Assurances in Farm Bill

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) joined other water, agricultural, and environmental organizations in sending letters to the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committee leaders with nutrient management recommendations for the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization effort. In the letters, the organizations call on Congress to strengthen the links between water quality and agricultural practices in Farm Bill conservation programs and commodity and crop insurance programs. See the Final Policy Recommendations Letter to House AG Committee and the Final Policy Recommendations Letter to Senate AG Committee.