The Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) made the sixth edition of its flagship Manual of Practice (MOP), MOP 11, available for purchase electronically. Chapters are sold separately, enabling buyers to select only the relevant chapters for an operations manual that fits different unique roles in the industry. Select chapters from the Management and Support Systems, Liquid Processes, or Solids Processes volumes.




 

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) is developing a special publication titled Standard Sustainability Reporting Statements for Wastewater Systems. This publication will propose a set of standard environmental performance report formats for use by the wastewater utility industry to facilitate uniform reporting in a manner similar to that currently used for financial reporting. The publication would outline the environmental reporting equivalent of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for environmental performance reporting by wastewater systems, providing general guidance on how information should be compiled and offering standard reporting templates. 

Publication is anticipated in September 2012. The project, being led by Eric Rothstein and Andy Shaw, officially launches this month, and the first draft will be ready for review in August 2011. If you are interested in participating as a reviewer and are able to work closely with WEF staff and to 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. 

The Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) has joined the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators (Washington, D.C.) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (New York) to support an effort led by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (Washington, D.C.) endorsing Principles for a Viable Watershed Approach. The 12 common watershed principles support advancing watershed management and serve as a starting point for discussions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Congress, and other stakeholders for future legislation and policy. 

On Nov. 29, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) submitted comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Oct. 14 proposed rule titled “Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Sewage Sludge Incineration (SSI) Units.” The rulemaking would subject SSI units to more-stringent requirements of the Clean Air Act. A Residuals and Biosolids Work Group composed of WEF members from a variety of disciplines and working in all aspects of wastewater and solids management developed the comments. See the WEF Comment Letter. 

The Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) joined five other water organizations to send a letter to U.S. Senate majority and minority leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell on Dec. 2 requesting support for S. 3481 (H.R. 5724). The bill would amend the Clean Water Act to clarify the federal government’s responsibility to pay for stormwater pollution control. In September, the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a decision (No. B-320795, 9-20-10) that federal facilities in the District of Columbia are exempt from paying stormwater utility fees due to a claim of sovereign immunity. The proposed legislation seeks to clarify wording on the topic of stormwater-utility fee payment by the federal government. 

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) is updating a manual of practice (MOP) to be titled Safety, Health, and Security in Wastewater Systems (MOP 1). This manual will have updated material and current regulations for readers.

Publication of the manual is set for August 2012. The project, being led by Tim Page–Bottorff, has officially launched, and the first draft will be ready for review in April. 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 required to ensure the development of a high-quality manual according to the publication schedule, contact Britt Sheinbaum at bsheinbaum@wef.org.  

The Utility Management Conference Feb. 8–11, 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.   Photo courtesy of AWWA. Click for larger image. AWWA/WEF Information Management & Technology Conference and Exposition Feb. 27–March 1, Dallas Co-located with the American Water Works Association (AWWA; Denver) Customer Service Conference, this conference will provide opportunities for attendees to learn the latest practices in the customer service and information management and technology fields; gain practical knowledge on managing customer data, new metering, and operations technology; and learn how to meet the challenges of collections.

Photo courtesy of American Water Works Association (AWWA; Denver). Click for larger image.

Disinfection 2011

April 10–13, Cincinnati

This conference is designed for professionals concerned with disinfection needs and technologies, with an emphasis on the disinfection and treatment of water and wastewater in small communities and households. It will cover information on various applications and the status and future directions of disinfection with respect to water, wastewater, and biosolids worldwide.


Industrial Wastewater Seminar 2011

May 9–10, Atlantic City, N.J.

This workshop examines water and wastewater management approaches being applied to improve overall environmental performance and challenging issues, and to address difficult-to-treat constituents.

   
Residuals and Biosolids 2011 — Adapting Residuals Management to a Changing Climate

May 22–25, Sacramento, Calif.


Collection Systems 2011 — Rehab or Roulette: Is Our Environment at Risk?

June 12–15, Raleigh, N.C.


European Water Association/WEF/Japan Sewage Works Association Specialty Conference on Cutting-Edge Technologies and Best Practices on Sewerage

July 28–29, Tokyo


Energy and Water 2011 — Efficiency, Generation, Management, and Climate Impacts

July 31–Aug. 3, Chicago

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. Reserve your space at a WEF International Pavilion Show today.

WETEX 2011 As an important regional sourcing platform for national and international companies to access the latest technological advances and management solutions, this event enables industry leaders to keep up with the latest developments in the water, energy, and environmental field in the Arabian Gulf region. March 8–10, Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre, United Arab Emirates IFAT China + China Water Show 2011 With the Chinese government allocating $454 billion for environmental protection through 2015, the show is set to be a leading platform for the environmental industry in China. May 5–7, Shanghai New International Expo Centre, China

IFAT China + China Water Show 2010. Click for larger image.

Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the following upcoming Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) webcasts: 

• Perspectives on Collection Systems Rehabilitation and Replacement provides viewpoints from engineers, consultants, manufacturers, contractors, owners, and operators; case studies and lessons learned; and effective quality assurance and control through four webcasts. Buy three of the webcasts and receive the fourth free of charge. Upcoming webcasts include Perspectives on Manhole Rehabilitation, Feb. 9; Perspectives on Service Lateral Rehabilitation, June 1; and Perspectives on Pump/Lift Station Rehabilitation, Nov. 16. Those who purchase the series but miss a webcast, such as Perspectives on Pipeline Replacement held Nov. 10, 2010, will receive access to webcast recordings. 

Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) House of Delegate members and Member Association (MA) leaders are invited to attend the following WEFMAX meetings for the opportunity to discuss challenges, share successes, and become acquainted with WEF staff and MA leaders:

• March 17–18, Atlantic City, N.J.     
• April 14–16, Louisville, Ky.       
• April 28–29, Davenport, Iowa  
• May 19–20, Vancouver, British Columbia 

Young professional (YP) members of the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) and American Water Works Association (Denver), as well as nonmembers, are invited to attend the 2011 YP Summit.

The event will be held April 14 in Louisville, Ky., in conjunction with WEFMAX, and YP Summit attendees are invited and encouraged to attend WEFMAX. The summit offers a variety of professional development sessions on career enhancement topics, such as leadership skills and job advancement. It also offers an opportunity to learn more about WEF and network with WEF leaders. Register online. For more information, contact Dianne Crilley at dcrilley@wef.org or (703) 684-2445. 

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, has held a series of general awareness trainings on water-sector interdependencies. Upcoming training opportunities include the following:

• Feb. 2–3, Sacramento, Calif.    
• Feb. 15–16, Covington, Ky.    
• May 3–4, Pittsburgh   
• June 29–30, San Antonio 

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA; Denver) will host a Government Affairs Fly-In April 4–5, 2011. The event provides an opportunity for WEF members and Member Associations (MAs) to be involved directly in educational outreach to congressional representatives from their states. The event will include issue briefings, group discussions, and time for attendees to visit their representatives in the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill. A reception will be held the evening of April 4.

Interested WEF MAs can work with their respective AWWA sections to coordinate travel to Washington, D.C. WEF and AWWA also will conduct advance training and a briefing on current water policy issues. If your state or MA is interested in participating, please contact Kelsey Brown at kbrown@wef.org or Nick Bardis at nbardis@wef.org.